Drums Patents (Class 84/104)
  • Patent number: 10403248
    Abstract: A drum head includes: a first film including a striking surface; a second film disposed opposed to a back surface of the first film which is back from the striking surface; and a sensor disposed between the first film and the second film and configured to output a signal related to vibration. The sensor includes: a first contact surface configured to contact the back surface of the first film without being secured to the back surface; and a second contact surface configured to contact a front surface of the second film without being secured to the front surface. A sensor tail of the sensor is secured to at least one of the first film and the second film located outside the shell when the first film and the second film are stretched over an open end of a shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryuji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 10304427
    Abstract: A laser trigger for a bass drum includes an enclosure attached to a drum rim which contains at least one reader of strokes performed with a foot pedal beater. The stroke reader is directed towards the beater, and has a laser beam emitter and the photoelectric element, whereas the retroreflective coating is applied on the pedal beater to reflect the laser beam in the direction of the photoelectric element at the moment of stroke. The enclosure/housing cavity includes a stroke recognition circuit based on parameters of the electric signal from the photoelectric element connected with the processing circuit that includes an audio frequency electric signal generator, which is connected with the output connector to connect the cable for outputting these signals for further processing and amplification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Inventor: Ilya Yuriyevich Mudrenov
  • Patent number: 9646593
    Abstract: An electronic percussion instrument includes an up/down motion detecting apparatus for a hi-hat for detecting up/down motions of the hi-hat regardless of a type of the hi-hat. An interlocked portion moves in response to up/down motions of the hi-hat mounted on an extension rod that constitutes a hi-hat stand. A seat unit does not move in response to up/down motions of the hi-hat. A sensor is provided on the seat unit. A connecting portion connects the interlocked portion and the sensor together and converts up/down motions of the interlocked portion into motions detectable by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Haruo Watanabe, Hideaki Takehisa, Shinya Miyashita
  • Patent number: 9589549
    Abstract: The present invention is multi-expression control system designed to control the individual sound from one or more compact analog sound modulator systems, often called “pedals, effects or stomp boxes,” or collectively herein “effects pedals,” for guitars, basses and keyboards. It couples features that are proprietary with off-the shelf products resulting in a system that spans the distance between a third party foot pedal and third party effects pedals. The system gives a musician “hands free” control of any third party effects pedal that has manually controlled potentiometers during a live artistic performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Buchanan M. McKay, II
  • Patent number: 9035160
    Abstract: A percussion controller comprises an instrumented striker including devices for obtaining inertial measurements and a wireless transmitter, a sensor-enabled striking surface that receives an impact from the instrumented striker, and a data processing system that receives the inertial measurements and predicts at least one of the force or location of impact of the instrumented striker on the sensor-enabled striking surface before impact actually occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: John W. Rapp
  • Patent number: 9006555
    Abstract: A percussion instrument that suppresses erroneous detection by a rim sensor includes a first plate affixed to a frame, a second plate elastically supported on the first plate by one or more elastic members, and a rim sensor attached to the second plate. Large vibrations of the frame from an impact of a strike on the rim are transmitted to the second plate, and the rim sensor provides an output corresponding to the striking force. Also, vibrations of the frame generated by striking sound or external sound is attenuated by the elastic member, to suppress transmission of such vibrations to the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Mori
  • Patent number: 8946536
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for temporary dampening and temporary conversion of a wide range of an analog percussion surfaces into electronic percussive surfaces by means of a modular self-dampening trigger system attachable in an openly modular configuration to the underside of said analog percussive surfaces in a manner that allows physical variations to traverse different media and span distance and time and allowing for discrete detection and manipulation of said variations. A trigger system that is releasably attachable to an acoustic percussion element has a metal cover plate releasably affixable to an undersurface of the acoustic percussion element, the metal cover plate partially covering less than half of the undersurface. A plurality of piezo sensors are releasably affixable to the undersurface of the acoustic percussion element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Field Electronic Drums, LLC
    Inventor: William Todd Field
  • Patent number: 8933315
    Abstract: A portable electronic drumhead includes a sensor responsive to drumstick impacts in producing electrical signal pulses input to headphones to thereby simulate sounds of an acoustic drumhead. The sensor includes a Force Sensing Resistor (FSR) lamination coated with an electrically conductive polymer ink, a spacer lamination, and a flexible electrode lamination having on an inner surface thereof a pair of interdigitated electrodes, the electrode lamination elastically contacting the FSR lamination in response to drumstick impacts on the outer surface of the electrode lamination or FSR lamination to thus momentarily reduce electrical resistance between the electrodes. Resilient batter pads overlying the laminations muffle sounds produced by drumstick impacts. Optionally, the sensor may have an annular ring shape which may be placed concentrically on the head of an acoustic drum, the sensor having an upwardly protruding resilient bumper strikable to produce electronically synthesized rim shot sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: Aquarian Coatings Corp., Miditronix LLC
    Inventors: Ronald G. Marquez, Franklin N. Eventoff, Mario J. DeCiutis
  • Patent number: 8933310
    Abstract: An acoustic/electronic drum assembly comprising a mesh batter drumhead comprising a mesh membrane and an annular ring, a resonant drumhead comprising an acoustic membrane and an annular ring, the acoustic membrane capable of creating acoustic sound in response to a force applied to the mesh batter drumhead, an annular shell member for maintaining the mesh batter drumhead in fixed relation to the resonant drumhead, and a pick-up acoustically coupled to at least the resonant drumhead for picking up the acoustic sound and creating an electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: RTOM Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas P. Rogers
  • Patent number: 8841527
    Abstract: An electronic percussion instrument may include a percussion member that generates vibrations when percussed, a vibration resonance member, a vibration damping member, and an electronic sound generation unit. The vibration resonance member may include a hub portion, a plurality of radial portions extending radially from the hub portion, and a plurality of spiral portions. Each of the spiral portions may be disposed between and connects respective two of the radial portions. Each of the radial portions may be connected to a respective adjacent one of the radial portions by one or more of the spiral portions. The vibration damping member, disposed between the percussion member and the vibration resonance member, may propagate the vibrations generated by the percussion member to the vibration resonance member. The electronic sound generation unit, connected to the vibration resonance member, may sense the vibrations through the vibration resonance member and generate an electronic percussion sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Al-Musics Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Ming-Shan Shih, Hsien-Tang Wang, Gwo-Hsiung Wei
  • Patent number: 8841538
    Abstract: An electronic drum has an induction board and a securing frame. The induction board has a drumhead, a connection device and a detecting assembly. The connection device is adapted to be electrically connected with an outer acoustic device. The detecting assembly is mounted under the drumhead and is electrically connected with the connection device to detect beats on the drumhead and to send acoustic signal to the connection device. The annular securing frame is mounted around the induction board and has an annular bracket, an outer securing rib and a bottom securing rib. The annular bracket has an outer periphery and a bottom. The outer securing rib protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the annular bracket. The bottom securing rib protrudes from the bottom of the annular bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: AI-Musics Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Guo-Hsiung Wei
  • Patent number: 8609970
    Abstract: Improvements in a microphone system for a musical instrument and more particularly for a percussion instrument such as a drum, marimba or similar musical instrument. The microphone system includes a vibration isolation system. A vertical or horizontal tracking system bridges across supports of a drum or marimba in a vertical or 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Randall May International Incorporated
    Inventor: Randall L. May
  • Patent number: 8525006
    Abstract: An input device including: a first operation detecting section which is provided on one stick and detects acceleration based on movement of the one stick; a second operation detecting section which is provided on an other stick and detects acceleration based on movement of the other stick; a first strike judging section which judges whether or not the one stick and the other stick have struck against one another, based on the acceleration detected by the first operation detecting section and the acceleration detected by the second operation detecting section; and an instructing section which instructs to produce a sound corresponding to striking of the one stick and the other stick against one another, when the first strike judging section judges that the one stick and the other stick have struck against one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Morio Yamanouchi
  • Patent number: 8513513
    Abstract: During reproduction of drum-part performance tones with a predetermined performance pattern, comprising a combination of a plurality of drum tone colors, based on automatic performance style data including at least performance pattern data associated with a drum kit defining a combination of the plurality of drum tone colors, a drum kit editing section replaces any one or more of the drum tone colors, defined in the drum kit, with one or more other drum tone colors. Thus, even during an automatic accompaniment, a user can readily replace any one or more of the drum tone colors, defined in the drum kit allocated to the drum part, with one or more other drum tone colors while promptly checking an automatic accompaniment having the other drum tone colors reflected therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Komano
  • Patent number: 8354581
    Abstract: A hybrid drum as described combines the characteristics of both acoustic and electronic percussion apparatus enabling a musician to have a single instrument and have either acoustic or electronic output. A hybrid drum includes a multilayer drum head with a built-in FSR sensor such that the FSR drum head replaces the drum head of the acoustic drum and can be used to perform acoustically and or electronically. The FSR sensor is built into a double layer, double-head acoustic drum head, wherein one layer of the double head system has the FSR element printed on it, while the other layer of the double layer head has the inter-digiting conductive fingers printed on it and facing the FSR element. A conductive tail extends from one of the drum head layers and is operably connected to an electronic module secured to the drum shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Miditronix, LLC
    Inventors: Franklin N. Eventoff, Mario J. DeCiutiis
  • Patent number: 8323108
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus that allows for the connection of a pair of bass drum pedals to a single controller further comprises an electronic circuit housed within an enclosure and provided with two (2) input jacks to allow connection of two (2) standard bass drum pedals from the drum controller used in the video game ROCK BAND® (video game). An output cable is then provided for connection to the drum controller. The electronic circuit accepts the switch closure connections from either pedal and uses an array of electronic components to drive a relay which produces a contact closure. This contact closure is then used to feed the controller. The electronic circuit eliminates the collision and cancellation effects associated with simply combining the pedal closures in parallel. In such a manner, a videogame player can generate a greater number of bass drum pedal actuations in a given period of time by using both feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Ronald E. Opfergelt
  • Patent number: 8121300
    Abstract: A drum accessory comprising a housing for attaching to a drum; a microprocessor disposed in the housing; an audio gate circuit disposed in the housing and operatively connected to the microprocessor and operatively connected to a microphone; and a drum trigger sensor operatively connected to the microprocessor, the drum trigger positioned to touch an edge of the drumhead of the drum; wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive a first input signal from the drum trigger sensor when the drum trigger sensor detects that the drum is hit, wherein upon receipt of the first input signal the microprocessor generates a first output command to the audio gate circuit to activate the audio gate circuit to allow transmission of an audio signal from the microphone to an output location; wherein the audio gate circuit is set to automatically deactivate after a predetermined amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph A. LoDuca, JoAnne LoDuca
  • Patent number: 8003873
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a percussion assembly comprising a multitude of percussion instruments, means for playing said percussion instruments and input means for inputting a tone pitch selection for the purpose of producing a tone pitch selection signal. The percussion assembly further comprises sensor means for producing a synchronization signal when at least one of said percussion instruments is being played. The percussion assembly furthermore comprises control means for receiving the tone pitch selection signal and the synchronization signal and for producing an audio signal dependent on the tone pitch selection signal synchronously with the synchronization signal. The invention further relates to drumsticks and to input means for use with a percussion assembly as described in the foregoing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Hubertus Georgius Petrus Rasker
  • Patent number: 7999170
    Abstract: An acoustic drum set amplifier specifically calibrated for each instrument within a drum set, specifically a snare drum, a bass drum, a bongo drum, tom-tom drum, a hi-hat, ride cymbal and crash cymbals, for optimizing the sound frequency of the instrument. In operation, an artist using the device might be able to filter, blend, and manipulate an electro-acoustic signal associated with an acoustic drum instrument, either captured by a microphone or generated by an electronic drum module to the artist's preferences while monitoring the sound directed towards an audience at a live performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventors: Victor Rafael Prado Lopez, Rui Alvaro Prado Lopez
  • Patent number: 7964780
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of pad devices that can be moved independent of each other includes: a sensor section for detecting a strike; and a transmitting section for transmitting operation information according to an output of the sensor section with wireless communication. A receiving section is provided in connection with a sound generating device to receive the operation information transmitted from each of the pad devices with wireless communication. The sound generating device generates a musical tone signal in accordance with the received operation information. A pad location detecting section detects a location of each of the pad devices. The sound generating device carries out tone generation control, for example, sound image localization control, for the musical tone signal generated in correspondence with each of the pad devices in accordance with the location of each of the pad devices detected by the pad location detecting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Harumichi Hotta, Takahiro Hara, Atsushi Fukada, Shinya Sakurada
  • Patent number: 7943841
    Abstract: A hi-hat type electronic pad capable of detecting, with reality, an up-and-down motion of a movable pad body that operates similarly to a top cymbal of an acoustic hi-hat, and capable of accurately detecting the operation by one of operation switches which is depressed by a corresponding actuator, even if the movable pad body is moved downward in an inclined state. An operation detecting unit includes a base plate and an elastic member and is provided on an HH pad body. When the HH pad body is moved downward by a pedal operation, the actuators formed on an upper surface of the elastic member and corresponding sheet switches disposed on the base plate are made in contact with one another, whereby operation ON is detected. The sheet switches are formed into an annular shape as viewed in plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Jiro Toda
  • Patent number: 7935881
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for simulating the sound of a specific percussion instrument. A first stored waveform representative of the impulse response of the specific percussion instrument is convolved with a second waveform representing of the vibrations produced when a playing surface is struck, scraped or rubbed by a hand-held implement manipulated by a human player. A control interface produces a control signal indicative of a desired audio effect, and a signal processor modifies the spectral components of the output waveform produced by the convolution in response to the control signal to produce a modified output waveform that manifests the desired audio effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Roberto M Aimi
  • Patent number: 7799984
    Abstract: A video game system comprising a standard drum set having at least one drum set component (30). An electrical pick-up is attached to each component. A game grid (12) is displayed on a display monitor and is electrically resonsive to the electrical pick-up. The game grid being similar to a musical staff with objects, which are moving along the musical staff, that will change appearance when the drum set component is struck at an appropriate moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Allegro Multimedia, Inc
    Inventor: Hal Christopher Salter
  • Patent number: 7795518
    Abstract: An operating device for use with a musical instrument may allow for a supporting member configured to be supported by a user to be operatively connected to a percussion instrument with a case, which may contain an electronic circuit for processing a signal produced by striking a striking surface of the percussion instrument. The case may be arranged between the electronic percussion instrument and the supporting member. The case and the electronic percussion instrument may be configured to be moveable relative to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Yoshino, Hideaki Yamane
  • Patent number: 7682237
    Abstract: Indication objects are displayed on a television monitor at the intervals in agreement with the rhythm of music, such that the player can generate musical tones in synchronization with music by striking the strike surface of a music game console in the appropriate timing as indicated by indication objects. In this case, the tone quality of the strike sound changes in the progress of music on the basis of strike sound indicating information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: SSD Company Limited
    Inventors: Hiromu Ueshima, Masaki Ohashi
  • Patent number: 7608771
    Abstract: A system for the controlled hitting of a percussion instrument such as a drum including an implement such as a bass drum pedal is described herein. The system comprises a controller for receiving a signal indicative of a beat and for sending triggering command, and an actuator for coupling to the implement and to the controller for receiving the triggering command from the controller and for causing the implement to move at the beat in response to a triggering command from the controller. According to an illustrative embodiment, the actuator includes a motor coupled to the controller so as to be controlled therefrom and a drive mechanism connected to the motor and to the implement for causing the motor to trigger the implement at the beat in response to the triggering command. The system is connected and controlled by a click through a MIDI connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventors: Claude Fournier, Paul Seney
  • Patent number: 7468483
    Abstract: An electronic percussion instrument with a single cymbal and a displacement detection apparatus that detects the displacement of an electronic cymbal. The electronic percussion instrument is designed to allows users to simulate the performance feel of an acoustic cymbal with two cymbals. The single cymbal of the instrument moves vertically in conformance with the depression of a pedal to simulate the “open” and “closed” positions of an acoustic cymbal. The displacement detection apparatus electronically detects the vertical displacement of the cymbal in the electronic percussion instrument through measuring resistance change of the detector in conformance with the movements of the cymbal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Yoshino
  • Patent number: 7297863
    Abstract: An electro-acoustically amplified drum mixer or sound level adjuster for amplifying a hollow drum shell having at least one open end, a drumhead spaced from the open end of the said drum shell and supported thereon. One or more microphones are supported on, and positioned within said drum shell and adapted for connection to an external amplifier and speaker. A second or additional microphones may be included with the internal mounting or may be adapted for mounting outside the drum housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Randall L May
  • Patent number: 7282633
    Abstract: A sound augmentation system for a drum comprises a wave generator for producing an electrical signal corresponding to a predetermined sound, an amplifier for amplifying the electrical signal to produce an amplified electrical signal, and a driver for translating the amplified electrical signal to a plurality of sound waves. The wave generator, amplifier and driver are mounted to a support structure configured to fit within a body of the drum. In operation, a strike of the head of the drum produces amplified sound waves that emanate from the body of the drum. Various embodiments of the sound augmentation system and associated method are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventor: Curtis J. Coolidge
  • Patent number: 7265287
    Abstract: In a support device for a set of marching tenor drums arrayed in an arc shape of at least four drums, the device being held on the body of a player, two or three consecutive drums of the array, form at least one group. The device includes a holding mechanism for keeping the positions of the drums in each group constant relative to drums within the same group, and a turnable linking mechanism for linking the group and drums adjoining the group to be turnable relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Hoshino Gakki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Shimada
  • Patent number: 6982376
    Abstract: The real drum trigger monitor and amplified tone module is an electronic percussion instrument, satisfying the desire of drummers to have realistic electronic drums with the audible drum sound coming directly from the instrument triggering the sound being heard. The monitor has a speaker subsystem and patch capability mounted within an actual acoustic drum shell having a mesh drumhead and electronic trigger. The output of the electronic trigger is fed into an industry recognized tone processor before being fed back to the integrated speaker sub-system mounted in the drum, thereby producing sound coming directly from the drum activating the electronic signal. Alternatively, a traditional electronic percussion instrument may be mounted to the real drum trigger monitor and amplified tone module to provide an integrated drum trigger and speaker monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Inventor: Johnathan R. Wise
  • Patent number: 6784352
    Abstract: An acoustic drum or electronic percussion instrument is constructed by a drumhead corresponding to a punching sheet on which plenty of apertures are formed and a cylinder covered with the drumhead being stretched under tension as well as a muting structure which is realized by a vibration absorption member and a support structure containing L-shaped support members and a support plate. Herein, the support members are detachably attached to an interior periphery of the cylinder to support the support plate, on which the vibration absorption member is mounted and is arranged in contact with a backside surface of the drumhead to absorb vibration of the drumhead whose surface is being struck by a drumstick or else. Using the muting structure, it is possible to actualize mute performance in which drum sounds are being muted by reduction of the vibration of the drumhead propagating into the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichiro Suenaga
  • Publication number: 20040159201
    Abstract: A securement device for securing a drum head upon a drum shell or body through a tension rod, including a lug assembly that not only allows a downward pull on and hence tightening of the associated tension rod, but also provides for three additional parameters of adjustment of the position and aspect of the lower end of the tension rod relative to the associated drum shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Walter B. Jeffries, Tyler D. Hauth, Sarah M. Jeffries
  • Patent number: 6770805
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Randall L. May
  • Patent number: 6753467
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is equipped with plural series combinations of switches and resistors and a piezoelectric transducer associated with a movable member for producing electric signals representative of player's intentions to music sound to be generated, and a signal processing system processes the signals for generating the music sound; the signal processing system has a voltage discriminator so that the plural series combinations are connected in parallel to the voltage discriminator through a single conductive line; a vibration absorber is inserted between the movable member and the piezoelectric transducer so that the piezoelectric transducer exactly converts the motion of the movable member to the electric signal at each player's manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: So Tanaka, Minoru Harada
  • Publication number: 20040025663
    Abstract: An electronic drum system includes an electronic drum having a shell, a drum head stretched across an opening of the shell, a vibration sensor converting vibrations of the drum head to an electric signal and a damper held in contact with the reverse surface of the drum head; when a drummer strikes the drum head with a stick, the drum head is shaken, and vibrations follow; the damper is held in contact with a certain area on the reverse surface, and the shake and vibrations are propagated from another area free from the damper to the vibration sensor; the shake is surely propagated to the vibration sensor, and the vibrations are rapidly decayed; for this reason, the vibration sensor exactly discriminates the shake from the peaks of the vibrations, thereby preventing an electronic sound generator from unintentionally repeated electronic beats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Minoru Harada, Yuichiro Suenaga
  • Patent number: 6576829
    Abstract: An electronic percussion instrument which includes a housing suspended from the bottom end of the barrel which houses the percussive impact sensor. The percussive impact sensor includes transducer. The arrangement of the percussive impact sensor and the housing maximizes the distance of the transducer from the percussion head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Hart
  • Patent number: 6525259
    Abstract: A Cadence-Providing Drum Practice Pad Assembly and Method is disclosed. The preferred assembly combines a practice pad and a cadence generating device in the same body. In other embodiments, the device provides visual prompting to the user on the striking pad. Furthermore, the device of the present invention includes a local repository of cadence programs, as well as the ability to retrieve and play cadence programs stored in remote cadence repositories, such as on a computer network or a portable storage media. In one embodiment the device includes a mounting aperture that is offset from the center of the striking pad so that the pad will have a more realistic feel when mounted to a cymbal stand. Finally, the device may be provided in the form of a conga practice pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: John Sagastegui
  • Patent number: 6525249
    Abstract: An acoustic drum or electronic percussion instrument is constructed by a drumhead corresponding to a punching sheet on which plenty of apertures are formed and a cylinder covered with the drumhead being stretched under tension as well as a muting structure which is realized by a vibration absorption member and a support structure containing L-shaped support members and a support plate. Herein, the support members are detachably attached to an interior periphery of the cylinder to support the support plate, on which the vibration absorption member is mounted and is arranged in contact with a backside surface of the drumhead to absorb vibration of the drumhead whose surface is being struck by a drumstick or else. Using the muting structure, it is possible to actualize mute performance in which drum sounds are being muted by reduction of the vibration of the drumhead propagating into the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichiro Suenaga
  • Patent number: 6399869
    Abstract: A Cadence-Providing Drum Practice Pad Assembly and Method is disclosed. The preferred assembly combines a practice pad and a cadence generating device in the same body. In other embodiments, the device provides visual prompting to the user on the striking pad. Furthermore, the device of the present invention includes a local repository of cadence programs, as well as the ability to retrieve and play cadence programs stored in remote cadence repositories, such as on a computer network or a portable storage media. Still further, the device includes the option of connecting remote striking pads that can be attached to a conventional drum set to provide visual and/or audible cadence prompting at the drums themselves. Furthermore, the device is attachable to a conventional cymbal or drum stand. The device may also have the ability to play musical accompaniment for the user's enjoyment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventor: John Sagastegui
  • Patent number: 6291752
    Abstract: A musical drum with a shell that is comprised of an inner and outer wall, which is constructed by thin material. The thin material which constructs the inner and outer walls are supported by thin strips of material housed between the inner and outer walls. The strips of material and centure strips, which construct the bearing edge of the drum, create spaced aperateres within the inner and outer walls, which allows sound waves to penetrate and resonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Florentino S. Vergara
  • Patent number: 6201173
    Abstract: An arrangement for enabling facile and efficient operation of at least one bass drum mallet, in combination with at least one bass drum, such that the bass drum with its associated mallet can be placed in any desired location, within and beyond, a limited Critical Performance Area which is encountered with conventional drumming equipment, and such that the mallet is operable by means of at least one foot pedal, placed close to, or remote from, the location of the mallet/bass drum assembly. The arrangement offers considerable flexibility in the location of bass drums and other drum/musical instruments, and equipment, and can be operated by means of wire, wireless, or direct mechanical, communication between the foot pedal and the bass drum mallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Jet Black
  • Patent number: 5998717
    Abstract: A kettledrum is connected to a support leg stand by a connecting mechanism which includes a connecting member attached to the leg stand and a drum clamping mechanism attached to the counterhoop of the drum. The drum clamping mechanism includes an auxiliary clamping unit having a joining part which engages a joining hole formed in a main clamping unit. Three connecting mechanisms may be equiangularly spaced around the drum for providing a stable support of the drum and reduction of vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Chang-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 5990401
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a percussion instrument assembly includes a base unit for positioning on a preselected surface. A first instrument pedal includes a first connecting linkage having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first connecting linkage is linked to the base unit so that the first instrument pedal may be utilized to operated a first percussion instrument. A second instrument pedal is positioned adjacent the first instrument pedal. The second instrument pedal includes a second connecting linkage having a first end and a second end. The first end of the second connecting linkage is linked to the base unit so that the second instrument pedal may be utilized to operate a second percussion instrument in a manner such that the first and second pedals are capable of being alternately actuated independently and simultaneously by the foot of an operator to respectively activate one or both the first and second percussion instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventors: Daniel T. Braun, Jon LaRue
  • Patent number: 5981858
    Abstract: A bamboo drum has a hollow cylinder formed of a plurality of ring bodies stacked together. The ring bodies are made of bamboo sheets and provided respectively along the upper ring portion thereof with a protruded circular rib, a circular groove, and an inclined circular surface for enabling the ring bodies to be stacked together to form the hollow cylinder without voids. Each of the ring bodies has two end portions of various forms to provide the two end portions with the contact areas capable of fusing securely the two end portions of the ring body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Jun-Chan Jeng
  • Patent number: 5977473
    Abstract: An acoustic drum capable of triggering an electronic sound source is provided by a combination of a drum body shell, conventional drum heads held at adjustable tension across open ends of the shell, and a sound-to-electrical transducer mounted within an open space of the interior or exterior shell wall surface. The sound-to-electrical transducer is connected to an audio jack assembly which in turn allows the drum to be connected to conventional downstream electronics. The sound energy attenuating characteristics of the mounting material and the surrounding shell wall prevent the transducer from being falsely triggered by ambient sound exterior to the drum, by sympathetic vibrations of the drum, and resists false triggering due to lightly, inadvertently hitting the drum stand. A sound energy transfer arm with elastomeric pad having limited contact with the striking head couples vibration to the embedded transducer in the shell wall for enhanced trigger sensitivity and tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Alfonso M. Adinolfi
  • Patent number: 5533405
    Abstract: A sound comparison device for a drum that has a body that includes a bottom with a periphery. The periphery of the bottom of the body is in contact with the surface of a drum head. A drum head tension measurement element includes a tip which protrudes from the bottom of the body. A spring biases the tip to press against and sink into the drum head to a distance determined by the tension on the drum head. A display is connected with the measurement element for causing the display to display a numerical value Y which corresponds to distance X of the protrusion of the measurement element. The values X and Y are coordinated so that the display displays the value Y=K/X1/2, where K is a constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Hoshino Gakki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiki Hoshino
  • Patent number: 5453567
    Abstract: The actuation of a percussion instrument, such as a high-hat cymbal set, is automatically implemented without requiring the performer (drummer) to use his (her) foot. This allows the drummer to use both feet for other instruments, such as for double-footed bass drumming. An automatic mechanism operates in either a tracking or "metronome" or a "track" mode to strike the instrument in a variety of beats, rhythms and tempos. The automatic mechanism may attach to a footpedal for operating the instrument, or may be connected directly to the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: Shelby Brinson
  • Patent number: RE42487
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: Randall L. May
  • Patent number: RE47779
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is equipped with plural series combinations of switches and resistors and a piezoelectric transducer associated with a movable member for producing electric signals representative of player's intentions to music sound to be generated, and a signal processing system processes the signals for generating the music sound; the signal processing system has a voltage discriminator so that the plural series combinations are connected in parallel to the voltage discriminator through a single conductive line; a vibration absorber is inserted between the movable member and the piezoelectric transducer so that the piezoelectric transducer exactly converts the motion of the movable member to the electric signal at each player's manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: So Tanaka, Minoru Harada