Adjustable drum stand

Abstract

A wooden collapsible drum stand that facilitates multiple sized conga drums in two modes, i.e. stand up or sit down play. The drum stand includes three leg members, a triangular main ring with three leg slots for each leg. A band or rope is used to support the base of the drum and is adjustable via a locking knob. The drum stand can accommodate accessory mounts for other percussion instruments by attachment to one or more leg members.

Description

[0001] The present invention is a continuation-in-part of co-pending design patent application Ser. No. 29/164,019 filed Jul. 17, 2003 entitled CONGA STAND.

[0002] The present invention relates to musical instruments and more particularly to a stand for a drum that can be used for stand up and/or sit down play.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0003] Design patent application Ser. No. 29/164,019 filed Jul. 17, 2003 entitled CONGA STAND is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,040,514 and 5,335,575 are incorporated herein by reference to illustrate and describe various types of conga drums and conga drum stands, and to describe components of conga drum stands which can be incorporated into the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to drums, and particularly stands for drums, and more specifically to a stand for a conga drum; however, it will be appreciated that the stand of the subject invention can be used as a stand for other types of instruments.

[0005] Conga stands come in numerous and varying designs, with complicated embodiments resulting from the desire to make one conga stand suitable for congas of varying dimensions. Due to the complexity of some prior art constructions, these conga stands are comparatively expensive, and quite a few musicians do not even make use of the all-purpose character of the known constructions.

[0006] One common conga drum design includes an elongated cylinder that swells outward at its mid-line and upper barrel section and tapers at its lower end sound hole. These types of conga drums can have various heights and widths. These differing shaped conga drums have in the past required a specific type of stand for the particular type and shape of the conga drum.

[0007] One type of prior art conga stand is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,514. The conga drum stand is designed to have the effect of free, stepless sliding adjustment to suit the secure positioning of different sizes of conga drums. The conga drum stand is also designed to be easily and quickly assembled, and be collapsible to as to not occupy much space, and to be lightweight to facilitate in convenient transportation. The conga drum stand is further designed to reduce the height of said conga drum stand so that a performer can sit and play the drum without having to have his legs hold the conga drum, thereby increasing the comfort of the performer. The conga drum stand includes a ring-framed carrier having a round hole at its center and a number of balancing blocks extending radially from its rim with a hole extending between the trough and the channel of each balancing block. A positioning block, inserted into each of the troughs, includes a vertical locking hole in the bock base. The locking hole is penetrated by a locking component with a hexagonal nut at its bottom end in the channel. The positioning blocks are configured so that they can be easily positioned in the trough. The conga stand uses four start blocks extending from its base to balance the conga drum. These blocks balance the drum, but do not suspend the drum nor isolate its bottom sound hole for volume, thus limiting a larger drum bottom sound hole area because the conga drum rests on top of the carrier's small holes. This arrangement interferes with or slightly suffocates the drum's true potential for sound or air projection. Furthermore, the stand does not elevate for stand up play, nor does it have support toward the drum's mid-line barrel area thus leaving the conga drum in a top-heavy position, which makes it vulnerable to toppling.

[0008] Another prior art conga stand is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,575. The conga stand is designed to be foldable so that it takes little space and facilitates the setup of a conga. The conga stand includes three leg members positioned at each vertex of an almost equilateral triangle viewed in plane. Each leg member has on its upper end a presser portion to be pressed against a conga drum and on its lower end, a leg lower hinge portion. The conga stand also includes three leg slide members attached along the respective leg members. Each leg slide member is provided with a hinge portion and can be locked in position. The conga drum also includes a shank member positioned at almost the center among the three leg members and having a lower hinge portion on a lower end thereof. A shank upper slide member is attached along the shank member and is provided with three hinge portions corresponding to the respective hinge portions of the leg slide members which also are lockable. A shank lower slide member is provided which is attached along the shank member and includes three hinge portions corresponding to the respective leg lower hinge portions which are lockable. Three holding stays are provided wherein both ends of each holding stay are pivotably attached to the hinge portion of the leg slide member and to the hinge portion of the shank upper slide member. Three support stays are further provided wherein both ends of each support stay are also pivotably attached to the leg lower hinge portion and to the hinge portion of the shank lower slide member. Finally, three auxiliary stays are provided wherein both ends of each auxiliary stay are pivotably attached to the middle portion of the support stay and the lower hinge portion of the shank member. This conga stand is limited to stand up style play only the conga stand also includes an elaborate arrangement of hinges central to the middle shank that protrudes into the sound port at the bottom of the conga drum. The shank and its respective leg member linkage impedes on the drums true sound potential. Furthermore, the arrangement of the metal framework detract from the smooth curvature and style of the conga drum itself.

[0009] The prior art conga stands are limited to either sit down or stand up play, but not both. These stands also impede the true flow of air from the bottom sound hold of the drum, thereby muffling and/or interfering with the true sound or quality of sound from the drum. The conga drum stands are typically metal structures that detract from the natural wood curves and style of the wooden conga drum. In view of the state of the prior art for drum stands, especially for conga drum stands, there is a need for a drum stand that can be arranged for both sit down or stand up play, which does not interfere with the sound quality produced by the drum, which can be easily assembled and disassembled, and which is aesthetically pleasing so as not to detract from the smooth curvature and style of the drum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention is directed to a drum stand, and more particularly to a reversible drum stand that can support a drum in an upright and/or sitting position. The drum stand is particularly suited for use with conga drums and will be described with particular reference thereto; however, the drum stand can be used with many other types of drums such as, but not limited to, African drums, Cuban drums, Latin drums, Spanish drums, Brazilian drums, etc. (e.g., djembe, doumbek, dun dva, ashiko, baugarabous, cylinder shaped drums, etc.) The drum stand is also particularly suited for use with wooden drums; however, the drum stand can be used to support drums made from other or additional materials such as, but not limited to, metal, fiberglass, plexiglass, PVC, etc. In the past, conga drum stands were designed for performers to batter the drumhead in a standing position. A drum stand was typically not used when the performer wished to sit on an chair and play the drum. In the sitting position, the drum was positioned directly on the floor while the performer used his both legs to secure the conga drum at an inclined angle so that the bottom side of the drum did not fully contact the floor surface, thereby preventing suffocation of the sound from the base of the drum. However, in the sitting position, the performer typically found such a position inconvenient. The present invention overcomes this problem by having a design that is adaptable for use of the drum in a standing position or in a sitting position. As such, the drum stand of the present invention makes the playing of a drum more convenient to a performer in both in the standing and the sitting position. The drum stand of the present invention also includes an adaptable drum support that can be conveniently used to adjust the support to suit the different sizes of the drums, to reduce the height of the integral drum unit and to ensure steady assembly of the drum unit.

[0011] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the drum stand includes a plurality of legs and a base or body ring that is connectable to the legs. Typically, the drum stand includes three or more legs. The legs are typically connectable to the base or body ring in a symmetrical orientation; however, this is not required. The base or body ring can have many different configurations. In one non-limiting example, when the drum stand includes three legs, the base or, body ring has a triangular shape. In still another non-limiting example, when the drum stand includes four legs, the base or body ring has a square or rectangular shape. The legs of the drum stand can have the same shape, or one or more legs can have different shapes.

[0012] In accordance with another and/or alternative aspect of the present invention, the drum stand includes one or more wooden components. The one or more wooden components provide better sound quality and/or are more aesthetically pleasing than metal components. The wood components can be made of a variety of woods to enhance the visual nature of the stand.

[0013] In accordance with still another and/or alternative aspect of the present invention, the drum stand includes one or more reversibly connectable legs which are connectable to the base or body ring. The reversible connection design for one or more legs allows the reversibly connectable leg to be connected in multiple orientations to the base or body ring. In one embodiment of the invention, one or more legs has a different profile for a front and back face of the leg. The differing face profile of the one or more legs enables the leg to accommodate various sized and shaped drums and/or various drum positions in the drum stand. In one non-limiting example, the leg is oriented in a first position to support a drum in the stand up position and reversed to be oriented in a second position to support the drum in a sit down position. In another and/or alternative non-limiting example, the leg is oriented in a first position to support a drum having a first size and reversed to be oriented in a second position to support the same drum in a different way or position and/or to support a different drum having a different shape and/or size. In one embodiment of the invention, one or more reversible legs includes a connection arrangement that enables the one or more legs to be connected in multiple orientations on the base or body ring. In one aspect of this embodiment, the connection arrangement includes, but is not limited to, a tongue and groove arrangement, a nut and bolt arrangement, pin arrangement, latch lock arrangement, etc. In another and/or alternative embodiment of the invention, one or more legs includes a plurality of connection arrangements to enable the one or more legs to be connected to the base or body ring in multiple position along the longitudinal length of the one or more legs. In one aspect of this embodiment, one or more of the plurality of connection arrangements on one or more legs are positioned on different faces of the one or more legs, or enable the one or more legs to be reversibly connected to the base or body ring. As can be appreciated, many configurations and arrangements on the legs can be used. In another and/or alternative aspect of this embodiment, at least one connection arrangement on at least one leg is spaced from a bottom end of the leg a distance of about 1-20% of the total longitudinal length of leg, typically about 2-15% of the total longitudinal length of leg, and more typically about 3-10% of the total longitudinal length of leg; and another connection arrangement is spaced from the bottom end of the leg a distance of about 30-80% of the total longitudinal length of the leg, typically about 35-70% of the total longitudinal length of leg, and more typically about 45-65% of the total longitudinal length of leg. In still another and/or alternative embodiment of the invention, one, or more legs include a pad to facilitate in the gripping and/or stabilization of the drum in the stand. The pad can be made of a non-abrasive material so as to minimize damage or scratching of the drum while in the stand and/or being positioned in or removed from the stand. The pad can also be made of a compressible material. The pad can be positioned on one or more faces of the leg to maintain its function when one or more reversible legs are repositioned on the base or body ring. In yet another and/or alternative embodiment of the invention, a shim star is used to adjust the position of one or more legs relative to the base. The shim star can also be designed to provide structural stability to the leg and to facilitate in the connection of the leg to the base. The use of a shim star enables the drum stand to accommodate a wide variety of different spaced and/or sized conga drums. The shim star can have a variety of shapes and/or sizes. When the base includes one or more slots to at least partially receive one or more legs, the shim star can be designed to at least partially fit in the slot. In one non-limiting design, the shim star has a general star shape having three or more nodes. At least two of the nodes have a different thickness. The thickness of the node at least partially affects the position of the leg relative to the base. The thinner the node, the closer the leg is to the middle of the base. The thicker the node, the farther the leg is positioned from the middle of the base. In this particular configuration, the shim star is rotated to cause the desired node to be used to position the leg relative to the base. As can be appreciated, the shim star can have other configurations. In addition, the shim star can affect the position of one or more legs in relative to the base in a number or other or additional ways (e.g., screws, springs, etc.).

[0014] In accordance with yet another and/or alternative aspect of the present invention, the drum stand includes a base support system used to support the base of the drum. The base support system typically includes a rope or band that can be made of a wide variety of materials. In one embodiment, the base support system includes a flexible material that is designed to engage the bottom or a region about the bottom of the drum. The material is typically is non-abrasive material so as not to damage or scratch the drum. Such materials can include, but are not limited to, natural and/or artificial leather materials, nylon material, rayon materials, cotton materials, wool materials, linen materials, etc. In another and/or alterative embodiment of the invention, the base support system is at least partially connected to base or body ring. In still another and/or alterative embodiment of the invention, the base support system is at least partially connected to one or more legs. In yet another and/or alterative embodiment of the invention, the base support system is at least partially adjustable so as to increase and/or decrease the tension on the drum.

[0015] In accordance with yet another and/or alternative aspect of the present invention, the drum stand includes an auxiliary support system that is designed to support an object or device other than a drum. Such devices can include, but are not limited to, bells, triangle, castanets, cymbals, chimes, other drums (e.g. bongo drums, etc.), castanets, gongs, wood blocks, tray, video equipment, audio equipment, sheet music, etc. In one embodiment, the auxiliary support system is connectable to one or more of the legs of the drum stand.

[0016] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a drum stand that can be used to support a drum in a stand up and sit down position.

[0017] Another and/or alternative object of the present invention is to provide a drum stand that has one or more structural improvements over past conga drum stands.

[0018] Still another and/or alternative object of the present invention is to provide a drum stand having the effect of free, stepless sliding adjustment to suit the secure positioning of different sizes of drums.

[0019] Yet another and/or alternative object of the present invention is to provide a drum stand that can be easily and quickly assembled.

[0020] Still yet another and/or alternative object of the present invention is to provide a drum stand that can be collapsible for easy and convenient storage and will not occupy much space.

[0021] A further and/or alternative object of the present invention is to provide a drum stand that is lightweight and facilitates convenient storage and transportation.

[0022] Still a further and/or alternative object of the present invention is to provide a drum stand wherein the height of the drum stand can be reduced so that the performer can sit and conveniently strike the drumhead without having to hold the drum in position by the performer's legs.

[0023] Yet a further and/or alternative object of the present invention is to provide a drum stand that is easily and more conveniently used by a performer.

[0024] Still yet a further and/or alternative object of the present invention is to provide a drum stand having an all wood framework to accent the drum's wooden nature. Another and/or alternative object of the present invention is to provide a drum stand that can support auxiliary attachments.

[0025] Still another and/or alternative object of the present invention is to provide a drum stand that has reversibly connectable legs.

[0026] Yet another and/or alternative object of the present invention is to provide a drum stand that is aesthetically pleasing to a performer and/or an audience and is consistent to use by a performer.

[0027] These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the discussion of the distinction between the invention and the prior art and when considering the preferred embodiment as shown in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The foregoing objects, and others, will in part be obvious and in part pointed out more fully hereinafter in conjunction with the written description of preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the drum stand in accordance with the present; invention wherein the drum stand is supporting a conga drum in the stand up position;

[0030] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drum stand of FIG. 1 without the conga drum;

[0031] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drum stand in accordance with the present invention wherein the drum stand is supporting a conga drum in the sit down position;

[0032] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drum stand of FIG. 3 without the conga drum;

[0033] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the drum stand of FIGS. 1 and 3;

[0034] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the drum stand of FIG. 3 in combination with an auxiliary support unit; and,

[0035] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of bongo drums detached from the auxiliary support unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0036] Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention, FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a drum stand DS in accordance with the present invention. The drum stand in FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate the drum stand supporting a conga drum 22 and will be described with particular reference thereto; however, the drum stand of the present invention can be used or modified to support other types of drums. The drum stand DS is designed to suspend-mount a conga drum in the stand up or sit down positioning. Typically the drum stand is made of non-metallic materials; however, this is not required. When a wooden framework is used for the drum stand, the wooden framework accents the wooden nature of the conga drum, thus making the drum stand and conga drum more aesthetically pleasing. The use of wood for the drum stand also allows for personal touches (e.g., carvings, staining, painting, etc.) to be incorporated into the drum stand thereby enhancing the artistic nature and aesthetically pleasing nature of the drum stand. The drum stand of the present invention is also designed to be adjustable to support a number of different sized and shaped conga drums and still provide superior stability for such drums. A wood stand provides the personal touch and can be scrolled on, carved on, and expanded on with its artistic framework. The drum stand of the present invention is designed to be quickly and easily collapsed for compact storage.

[0037] Referring again to FIGS. 1-5, drum stand DS has a base 1 and three leg members 2 detachably connected thereto. The base has a generally equilateral triangle shape and the leg members are positioned at each vertex of the triangle. As can be appreciated, the base can have-other shapes. The three legs have substantially the same shape; however, this is also not required. Base. 1 includes a base channel 20 at each vertex of the triangle of the base. The base channel is designed to receive a slotted surface of the legs 2. Each of the legs are illustrated as having an upper slot 12 and a lower slot 13. The upper slot is used when assembling the drum stand for use in a stand up position, and the lower slot is used when assembling the drum stand for use in a sit down position. Slots 12 and 13 are designed to slidably engage a grooved region in base channel 20 thereby securing the legs to the base.

[0038] As best illustrated in FIG. 5, slots 12 and 13 are angled differently. Slot 13 is substantially parallel to the bottom edge of the leg or about perpendicular to the bottom sides of the leg. Slot 12 is angled relative to the bottom edge of the leg at about 20° or at an angle of about 70° to the bottom sides of the leg. As can be appreciated, other angles can be used for slots 12 and/or 13. The angle selected for slot 12 is such that when the leg is connected to the base, the leg angles toward the base as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The angle selected for slot 13 is such that when the leg is connected to the base, the leg sits substantially straight up as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0039] Referring again to FIGS. 1-5, each leg includes an upper presser pad 8, a lower presser pad 9 and a tip presser pad 10. The presser pads can be separate pads or a continuous pad. As can be appreciated, the presser pad can have different configurations. The presser pad is typically connected to the top of the leg by an adhesive; however, it can be connected in many other ways such as, but not limited to, slots, tacks, nails, Velcro, etc. The presser pad is used to protect the conga drum from scratches and damage, and to engage with the sides of the conga drum to provide stability to the conga drum while positioned in the conga stand. The positioning of the presser pad on the front and back face of the legs facilitates in the reversible leg connections. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the legs are positioned in the base in the stand up position such that the top front face of the legs engage the sides of the conga drum. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the legs are positioned in the base in the sit down position such that the top back face of the legs engage sides of the conga drum. In both these positions, the presser pads performs the protection and stability functions. The slope of the faces of the legs are also selected to support the conga drum. The slope of the front face is different from the slope of the back face. The angle between the two faces is about 10-70°, and typically about 20-40°.

[0040] A drum base support arrangement is used to support the base of the drum in the conga stand as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. The base support arrangement supports the base of the drum to prevent the bottom edge and/or side of the drum to come in contact with sound hole 19 in base 1. The sound hole has a circular shape; however, other shapes can be used. The sound hole is inserted in the base so as to not interfere with the sound quality of the conga drum during play. As shown in FIG. 1 the base of the conga drum partially or fully passes through the sound, hole, but the bottom edge and sides of the conga drum do not contact the sound hole. As shown in FIG. 3, the base of the conga drum partially passes through the sound hole and does not contact the bottom edge and sides of the conga drum. When the drum stand is configured for sit down play, the base of the conga drum should not pass fully through the sound hole so as to not interfere with play of the conga drum during play. When the drum stand is configured for stand up play, the base of the conga drum can pass fully through the sound hole since the drum is elevated from the floor during play. The support arrangement includes a plurality of loops 10 that are secured to base 1. As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the loops are secured in openings 27 in the base. Six loops are illustrated as being connected to the base; however more or less loops can be used. The loops can include a flexible material; however, this is not required. Threaded through the loop is a flexible containment cord 5. At each location wherein a leg 2 is inserted into a base channel 20, a portion of the containment cord is threaded through a hole 18 in a shim star 3 and through a hole 14 or 15 in leg 2 and secured about a knob 4. As will be further described below, thus arrangement results in the securing of the legs to the base, the supporting of the base of the conga drum on the drum stand, and providing tension adjustment of the containment cord so as to properly position the conga drum in the drum stand.

[0041] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, a shim star 3 is inserted into each base slot prior to inserting a leg into the base slot. The shim star is designed to provide structural stability to the leg and to facilitate in the connection of the leg to the base. The shim star is also used to adjust the spacing of one or more of the legs relative to the base so as to enable the drum stand to accommodate a wide variety of different spaced and/or sized conga drums. The shim star has various node thicknesses as to properly adjust the leg spacing with respect to the base. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the shim star has at least two, and typically at least three, different nodes thickness. The shim star is rotated to cause the desired node to be used to position the leg relative to the base. A hole 18 is formed through the middle of the shim star and is aligned with hole 14 or 15 when the leg is positioned in the base slot. Knob 4 is used to increase and decrease the tension on containment cord 5 by twisting the knob. A leg groove 16 and 17 is designed to capture a portion of the knob and inhibit the turning of the knob after the tension of the containment cord has been set. Slot 16 is used by the knob when the drum stand is set up in the stand up position as illustrated in FIG. 1., Slot 17 is used by the knob when the drum stand is set up in the sit down position as illustrated in FIG. 3. As can be appreciated, when one or more knobs are turned, the tension on the containment cord is increased or decreased, thereby enabling the desired adjustment of the base of the conga drum in the drum stand. As can also be appreciated, when the base of the conga drum is set in the containment cord, tension is applied to the containment cord thereby causing knobs 4 to press toward the sides of the legs. The force of the knobs on each of the legs results in the legs being secured in the base channels. The flexible cord 5 in combination with the flexible loops 10 allow for the base, of the drum to be properly oriented in the drum stand. As can further be appreciated, when the base of the conga drum needs to be moved in a certain direction, the appropriate knob can be turned to facilitate in the desired position of the base of the conga drum.

[0042] Referring again to FIG. 5, one or more legs includes a grasp hole 11 that is used to grasp the drum stand for convenient movement.

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 3, a crunch support 21 is secured onto a factory mount 25 on the conga drum. The crunch support is designed to rest on the top edge of the leg to provide support to the conga drum when the drum stand is oriented in the sit down position.

[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, an auxiliary attachment 28 is shown. The auxiliary attachment is illustrated as supporting bongo drum BD; however, many other items can be supported by the auxiliary attachment. The leg to which the auxiliary attachment is secured also typically engages crunch support 21; however, this is not required. The crunch support is used to facilitate in stabilizing the leg and facilitate in maintaining the leg in the proper position when the auxiliary attachment is connected to the leg. Auxiliary attachment 28 includes a channel 29 that is designed to engage slot 12 of the leg and thereby secure the auxiliary attachment to the leg. As illustrated in FIG. 6, slot 12 slopes in a manner to facilitate in the support of the auxiliary attachment of the leg. The top portion of the auxiliary attachment includes an upper channel 30. The upper channel is designed to engage and support the bongo drums. As can be appreciated, the upper portion of the auxiliary attachment can include other designs to support other items.

[0045] To summarize above, the drum stand includes three interchangeable, removable legs 2 that are connectable to and are designed to support base 1. Each of the legs includes pads to support the conga drum in different positions. The legs have two sets of slots 12 and 13 that are oriented at differing angles on the legs and are designed for insertion into the channel 20. The legs support and suspend the main base horizontally (about parallel to the floor). When the drum stand is arranged in'the stand up position, the legs extend past the main base ring, angling inward and upward at about 70°. The legs are designed to rise vertically about 90° to meet the upper belly of the conga drum when the drum stand is arranged in the sit down position. In the sit down position, the top edge of the one of the legs contacts a crescent shaped support 21 that is mounted on the factory mount 25 of the conga drum. The crescent support provides a crutch type support for the conga drum and also provides the rigidity involved with this same leg as it carries accessory attachments, when such attachments are used. Each of the legs contains two separate transverse holes 14 and 15 at differing angles from one another. The holes are designed to receive a portion of a containment cord that is used to support the bottom portion of a; conga drum. Positioned at the outer edges of the legs are vertical grooves 16 and 17 that are used to lock respective torquing crank knobs 4. One or more legs have a hole 11 that is used for grasping, articulating or positioning the assembled unit and drum. The drum stand includes three adjustment stars 3 with selective stepped spacing or width for each of the stars as shown in FIG. 5. The thickness of a particular step in the star is used to properly configure the drum stand for a particularly shaped conga drum. Thicker steps will result in increased leg spacing to accommodate larger and/or fatter conga drums. Thinner steps will result in decreased leg spacing to accommodate smaller and/or thinner conga drums. Each star operates independently to achieve a selected drum fit. Each star is strung through its center through hole 18 by the containment cord. Each star offers multiple settings to enable a broad range of drum sizes to be supported in the drum stand. The drum stand can include T block spacers 6 that are designed to be inserted within a base channel (20) and used to buffer or expand the spacing of the shim stars in their respective channels. Slotted crank knobs 4 are used to capture the each cord at the leg's outer cord hole where the cord exits the leg. The twisting of the knobs draw in or release the cord and V groove 16, 17 and the legs are then used to secure the knobs in position.

[0046] Instructions for assembling and using the conga stand are set forth below.

[0047] 1. Locate the base ring. The base ring may or may not have the containment cords preassembled.

[0048] 2. Thread the three containment cords one at a time through each loop hole atop the base ring.

[0049] 3. Before inserting each leg member, grasp and thread the adjustment star on to each doubled back rope/cord with flat side out as to abut the incoming leg.

[0050] 4. Insert into each of the three legs a doubled over cord.

[0051] 5. Connect a crank knob onto the protruding loop that is on the outer side of each leg. Loop the cord into the opposed eyelet slots of the crank knob.

[0052] 6. Initially fit and size the drum stand in accordance to each drum by inverting the conga drum. With the conga upside down, lift and center the stand on to the conga bottom. Ensure that the base of the drum stand surrounds the sound hole of the drum and that the containment cords are pulled back to contain the outer base portion of the conga drum. The legs should be free to slide in or out accordingly to suit the conga's barrel size. If the containment cord need to be loosened or tighten, it should be done at this point.

[0053] 7. Before tightening the cords, size the proper thickness of the star adjuster to fill the space within the base's leg channels. The sizes for each star adjuster channel need not be the same.

[0054] 8. Secure the drum by turning each crank knob once in succession to make sure each of the three legs is drawn tightly inward. As each corner of the stand tightens and more importantly on the last turn made on each leg, try to apply even torque to each knob while pulling the drums bottom toward the knob being tightened. Do not over tighten the knobs and allow for some initial stretching due to tightening of knobs.

[0055] 9. In the stand up mode, the height of the drum can be lowered or raised according to the spacing, i.e. the smaller spacing will raise the drum upward and larger the spacing will cause the barrel of the conga drum to sink lower. In the sit down mode, each vertical leg member should be vertical and not leaning or angled too far in or out, as this can damage the stand during tightening.

[0056] 10. The initial setup is now complete. Turn over the assembled drum stand. After becoming familiar with the drum stand, inversion prior to assembly may not be required.

[0057] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can be devised and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

Claims

1. A drum stand comprising:

a base having a plurality of leg connectors and a sound opening; and,

a plurality of leg members, each leg member having a presser portion adapted to engage a drum and a plurality of base connectors designed to releasably connect said leg to said base, each of said connectors on said legs spaced from one another along a longitudinal axis of each of said legs, each of said connectors defining a different connection location along the longitudinal axis of said leg for connection to said base.

2. The drum stand as defined in claim 1, wherein said drum is a conga drum.

3. The drum stand as defined in claim 1, wherein at least said leg connector on said base includes a base slot designed receive a portion of one of said legs.

4. The drum stand as defined in claim 3, wherein said base slot includes at least one groove designed to receive a corresponding groove on said base connector of said leg.

5. The drum stand as defined in claim 1, wherein said base includes three leg connectors that are substantially symmetrically oriented about an outer perimeter of said base.

6. The drum stand as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one leg has one base connector spaced from a bottom end of said leg a distance of about 1-20% of the total longitudinal length of said leg, and another base connector spaced from the bottom end of said leg a distance of about 30-80% of the total longitudinal length of said leg.

7. The drum stand as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one leg has one base connector oriented differently from said another base connector.

8. The drum stand as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one leg includes a compressible material connected at least partially about the top end of said leg.

9. The drum stand as defined in claim 1, wherein said sound opening in said base has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of circular, oval, and/or ellipsoid, said opening having a cross-sectional area that is greater than a cross-sectional area of a base of said drum.

10. The drum stand as defined in claim 1, including a support arrangement adapted to engage a base region of said drum to at least partially support said drum and prevent said drum from engaging sides of said opening in said base.

11. The drum stand as defined in claim 1, wherein said support arrangement includes an adjustable tension mechanism to adjust tension about said drum.

12. The drum stand as defined in claim 1, wherein said support arrangement is at least partially secured to at least one of said legs.

13. The drum stand as defined in claim 12, wherein at least one of said legs includes a plurality of openings designed to at least partially secure said support arrangement to said leg.

14. The drum stand as defined in claim 11, wherein said base includes a plurality of openings designed to at least partially secure said support arrangement to said base.

15. The drum stand as defined in claim 13, wherein said base includes a plurality of openings designed to at least partially secure said support arrangement to said base.

16. The drum stand as defined in claim 12, wherein said support arrangement includes a flexible support at least partially secured to at least one of said legs and at least one retainer designed to limit movement of said flexible support, said at least one retainer at least partially secured to said base.

17. The drum stand as defined in claim 16, wherein said flexible support is selected from the group consisting of a cord, a strap, and/or a band.

18. The drum stand as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said legs includes a grasp opening.

19. The drum stand as defined in claim 1, including a secondary device support design to connect to at least one of said base connectors, said secondary device support adapted to connect to a device selected from the group consisting of drums, bells, triangle, castanets, cymbals, chimes, castanets, gongs, wood blocks, tray, video equipment, audio equipment, sheet music, and/or combinations thereof.