Snares Patents (Class 84/415)
  • Patent number: 7745712
    Abstract: In the specification and drawing, a coupling is described and shown connecting a snare to a snare drum, the snare drum having a drum wall with a top edge and a bottom edge. The coupling connects a male section to a female section. The male section and female section interoperate in a vertical location between top edge and bottom edge of the snare drum wall. One of either the female section or male section is fixed to the drum wall in a radial direction and tangential direction. The other is fixed to said snare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventor: Ronn Dunnett
  • Patent number: 7741550
    Abstract: A snare drum includes a strainer system which switches the position of a snare wire between an OFF position spaced from a lower drumhead and an ON position in contact with the lower drumhead. The strainer system includes a frame to which the snare wire is attached, and a pair of link mechanisms which are joined to the respective end portions of the frame and attach the respective end portions of the frame to a shell of the snare drum. After switching the position of the snare wire to the ON position, the position of the snare wire with respect to the lower drumhead is adjusted by operating an adjust screw of the second link mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Hoshino Gakki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideyuki Miyajima
  • Patent number: 7728211
    Abstract: A snare drum wire set comprises a generally rectangular rigid plate having a front, a back including a central region having an aperture, left and right sides, and a top and a bottom. The back has a support leg on each side of the central region and an elevated back edge that bridges the support legs in the central region. A mounting strap having a front end is secured in the aperture and extends backward beneath the elevated back edge. A plurality of snare wires are secured to the bottom of the front of the plate and extend forward in parallel from the front edge of the plate. The preferred quick-change strap with transverse insert pin can be very quickly inserted or removed from the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: D'Addario & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Gatzen
  • Publication number: 20100126330
    Abstract: The present invention is related to an adjustable modular drum including a first shell and plural second shells. The first shell has several lugs placed around the outer circumference, and each lug has a screw hole. Moreover, the second shells can be superimposed on the first shell. Furthermore, the drumhead on the first shell can be unloaded and then re-assembled on one of the second shells by a hoop. Then, plural tension rods are passed through the through holes around the outer circumference of the hoop and locked in the screw holes of the lugs for fixing. Accordingly, the height of the drum can be adjusted for conforming to different needs of the user without possessing multiple drums of different standards at the same time, thereby achieving the purposes of carrying convenience and reduced cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: Tsun-Chi LIAO
  • Patent number: 7692083
    Abstract: A drum having a resonant chamber for producing a range of sounds and at least one device for allowing the sound so produced to be altered, which includes a plurality of internal snares which can be brought into contact with the internal surface of the external surface of the resonant chamber which is struck by the player. The drum may also include a bass drum stick mounted within the chamber and adapted for movement to be able to selectively strike the inner surface of the drum which is struck by the player. The bass drum stick may include a pedal, or other device, operable by the player and external to the drum for effecting movement of the bass drum stick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Mark Aspland
  • Publication number: 20100050852
    Abstract: A drum having a resonant chamber for producing a range of sounds and at least one device for allowing the sound so produced to be altered, which includes a plurality of internal snares which can be brought into contact with the internal surface of the external surface of the resonant chamber which is struck by the player. The drum may also include a bass drum stick mounted within the chamber and adapted for movement to be able to selectively strike the inner surface of the drum which is struck by the player. The bass drum stick may include a pedal, or other device, operable by the player and external to the drum for effecting movement of the bass drum stick.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Mark Aspland
  • Patent number: 7649132
    Abstract: Snare drum assemblies, including assemblies with flexible snare anchors, and associated methods are described. A drum assembly in accordance with one embodiment includes a set of snare strands, each having a first end and a second end, a first, flexible snare anchor connected directly to the snare strands toward the first ends, and a second, flexible snare anchor connected directly to the snare strands towards the second ends. The snare anchors can be flexible between a first shape and a second shape different than the first shape when attaching the snare anchors to a drum. The first and second snare anchors can have generally flat, uniform shapes when not under tension, and can have a relatively thin profile (e.g., thickness) to provide for contact between the snare strands and a drum head in one or more orientations. In further particular embodiments, the drum head against which the snare assembly is positioned need not include snare beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Greg Nickel
  • Publication number: 20090223346
    Abstract: Snare drum assemblies, including assemblies with flexible snare anchors, and associated methods are described. A drum assembly in accordance with one embodiment includes a set of snare strands, each having a first end and a second end, a first, flexible snare anchor connected directly to the snare strands toward the first ends, and a second, flexible snare anchor connected directly to the snare strands towards the second ends. The snare anchors can be flexible between a first shape and a second shape different than the first shape when attaching the snare anchors to a drum. The first and second snare anchors can have generally flat, uniform shapes when not under tension, and can have a relatively thin profile (e.g., thickness) to provide for contact between the snare strands and a drum head in one or more orientations. In further particular embodiments, the drum head against which the snare assembly is positioned need not include snare beds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Greg Nickel
  • Publication number: 20090133564
    Abstract: A snare drum includes a strainer system which switches the position of a snare wire between an OFF position spaced from a lower drumhead and an ON position in contact with the lower drumhead. The strainer system includes a frame to which the snare wire is attached, and a pair of link mechanisms which are joined to the respective end portions of the frame and attach the respective end portions of the frame to a shell of the snare drum. After switching the position of the snare wire to the ON position, the position of the snare wire with respect to the lower drumhead is adjusted by operating an adjust screw of the second link mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: Hideyuki MIYAJIMA
  • Patent number: 7498501
    Abstract: A snare-adjusting device is mounted on a snare drum for adjusting tension of a snare and has a base, adjustment assembly and snare mount. The adjustment assembly is mounted through the base and has a barrel, shaft, slider, adjustment head and friction ring. The barrel has two ends. The shaft is mounted rotatably through the barrel. The slider is mounted slidably in and engages one end of the barrel and is mounted on the shaft using threads. The adjustment head is mounted securely on the shaft. The friction ring is mounted slidably through an other end of the barrel, is pressed by a resilient device to abut the adjustment head and provide friction against rotation of the adjustment head. The snare mount is attached to the slider and connects to the snare. The friction holds the adjustment head securely to maintain a steady timbre.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: K.H.S. Musical Instrument Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wu-Hong Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20090038465
    Abstract: A shell (1) for a drum comprises an outer layer (1a), an intermediate layer (1b) and inner layer (1c), wherein the intermediate layer has a plurality of larger apertures (2) and the inner layer has a plurality of smaller apertures (3) overlying the larger apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: John Whalley, Thomas Philip Holding
  • Patent number: 7485790
    Abstract: A cajon comprising a cuboid housing made of wood, wherein one side serves as the playing side and wires are strung below the corresponding wooden plate that, when the playing surface is struck, interact with the same and produce a sound effect, wherein each wire has at least one associated damping element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Roland Meinl Musikinstrumente GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Payerl
  • Patent number: 7482522
    Abstract: In a cajon incorporating a snare carpet that rests against the reverse of a front plate, provision is made that the snare carpet is supported pivotable and actuatable by means of a pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Roland Meinl Musikinstrumente GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Reinhard Wening
  • Patent number: 7462771
    Abstract: A method and device for mounting a Snare drum strainer on a snare drum in place of an Anti-Friction Drum Strand Tensioner or Drum Strand Tensioner. The device consists of a small plate with one or more strategically placed holes to mount the snare drum strainer vertically. The plate is then attached vertically to the snare drum via the strategically placed holes. Attachment is temporary and secure and universal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Thomas McCraw
  • Publication number: 20080264234
    Abstract: A snare drum strainer includes a switch stand, a brake part, a suspender steady base and a pull handle driven part. The brake part can slide inside the switch stand and also can move upward and downward. The suspender steady base is steady located at a lower end of the brake part for clipping multiple snares. The pull handle driven part is pivotally coupled to the switch stand for controlling the brake part to be ascending and descending. The brake part makes use of a self-lubricating bearing and a shaft sleeve to generate a self-lubricating effect. Further, the pull handle driven part makes use of a bolt and a spacer to have the pull handle, the driven buttons and the driven pole pivotal coupled together. When the suspender steady base is in use, friction can be reduced, so as to enhance the fluid movement and further reduce the noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Wu-Hong Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7439433
    Abstract: A snare drum strainer includes a switch stand, a brake part, a suspender steady base and a pull handle driven part. The brake part can slide inside the switch stand and also can move upward and downward. The suspender steady base is steady located at a lower end of the brake part for clipping multiple snares. The pull handle driven part is pivotally coupled to the switch stand for controlling the brake part to be ascending and descending. The brake part makes use of a self-lubricating bearing and a shaft sleeve to generate a self-lubricating effect. Further, the pull handle driven part makes use of a bolt and a spacer to have the pull handle, the driven buttons and the driven pole pivotal coupled together. When the suspender steady base is in use, friction can be reduced, so as to enhance the fluid movement and further reduce the noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: K.H.S. Musical Instrument Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wu-Hong Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7435887
    Abstract: Snare drum assemblies, including assemblies with flexible snare anchors, and associated methods are described. A drum assembly in accordance with one embodiment includes a set of snare strands, each having a first end and a second end, a first, flexible snare anchor connected directly to the snare strands toward the first ends, and a second, flexible snare anchor connected directly to the snare strands towards the second ends. The snare anchors can be flexible between a first shape and a second shape different than the first shape when attaching the snare anchors to a drum. The first and second snare anchors can have generally flat, uniform shapes when not under tension, and can have a relatively thin profile (e.g., thickness) to provide for contact between the snare strands and a drum head in one or more orientations. In further particular embodiments, the drum head against which the snare assembly is positioned need not include snare beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Gregory L. Nickel
  • Publication number: 20080115652
    Abstract: A snare strainer adapted to a snare drum is equipped with two strainers, which are attached to the opposite positions on the circumferential exterior of a cylinder of the snare drum and which control a snappy member to be selectively brought into contact with or separated from the backside head opposite to the drumhead. Herein, a moving base vertically moves along a fixed base attached to the circumferential exterior of the cylinder; holding members, which are tightly joined together so as to hold the terminal of the snappy member, are supported by a support member fixed to the moving base. The holding members are engaged with the support member due to a magnetic attraction exerted by permanent magnets. This makes it possible for the person to detachably attach the holding members to the support member without using tools; hence, it is possible to improve the handling of the snare strainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Banri Abe
  • Patent number: 7365256
    Abstract: A tensioner system for a snare assembly adapted to be attached to a percussion instrument, comprising a main body adapted to be fixedly mounted to the percussion instrument; a snare fastener assembly for fastening snares with respect to the main body; a rotatable tension adjuster lever rotatably mounted with respect to the main body and the snare fastener. Rotating the tension adjuster changes a position of the snare fastener to change tension of said snares. A positive locking mechanism positively locks the rotatable tension adjuster in at least one of a plurality of snare tensioning positions, wherein the positive lock mechanism mechanically connects the tension adjuster with respect to the main body fixedly mounted to the percussion instrument. The positive locking mechanism comprises a movable knob that is movable relative to said main body to change the positive locking mechanism from a locking condition to an unlocking condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Pearl Musical Instrument Co.
    Inventor: Akito Takegawa
  • Publication number: 20080034944
    Abstract: A drum having a resonant chamber for producing a range of sounds and at least one device for allowing the sound so produced to be altered, which includes a plurality of internal snares which can be brought into contact with the internal surface of the external surface of the resonant chamber which is struck by the player. The drum may also include a bass drum stick mounted within the chamber and adapted for movement to be able to selectively strike the inner surface of the drum which is struck by the player. The bass drum stick may include a pedal, or other device, operable by the player and external to the drum for effecting movement of the bass drum stick.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Mark Aspland
  • Patent number: 7312389
    Abstract: A snare strainer includes first and second strainers for respectively holding both ends of a snare assembly (i.e., snares), which is controlled to move in close contact with or apart from a bottom-side drumhead of a snare drum. The first strainer includes a fixed base and a snare stretching member, which further includes a holding member for holding a snare connection member, an interconnection member, a pair of arms attached to both ends of the interconnection member, a pair of levers respectively attached to the arms, and a stretching rod that is bridged between the levers to support the intermediate portion of the snare connection member. The first strainer further includes a tension adjuster for adjusting the tension of the snare connection member, and a height adjuster for adjusting the height of the stretching rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Shigehiro Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7262355
    Abstract: A snare strainer adapted to a snare drum comprises first and second strainers, which are attached to opposite positions on the exterior circumferential surface of a drum cylinder and by which a snappy member including snares is controlled to move in close contact with or separate from the backside drumhead upon operation of a switch mechanism. One end of an interconnection member included in the snappy member is held between first and second holding members of the first strainer, and the other end is held between third and fourth holding members of the second strainer. A tension adjustment screw is operated to adjust tension applied to the snappy member, which can be visually observed using the scale. Hence, it is easy for the human operator to attach and replace the snappy member and to replace the backside drumhead with another drumhead in a short period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Hagiwara, Norihiko Ishimatsu
  • Patent number: 7223910
    Abstract: A snare drum including a drum shell having an upper head and a lower head mounted thereon and a frame for holding a plurality of snare wires. The frame arranges the snare wires to be in contact with the lower head or to be spaced from the lower head. The snare drum includes a first latched member and a second latched member respectively located at opposite ends of the frame at an outer side the drum shell. An attachment mechanism is located on the drum shell for arranging the frame on a surface of the lower head. The attachment mechanism includes a first latching member and a second latching member arranged between the drum shell and the first and second latched members for separably latching the first and second latched members, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Hoshino Gakki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Shimada
  • Patent number: 7220905
    Abstract: A strainer for a snare assembly adapted to be attached to a percussion instrument, comprising a tensioning mechanism for applying a tension to snares of a percussion instrument; a lever having a first end and a second end, the lever being pivotably mounted to the tensioning mechanism, whereby pivoting the lever changes a position of the tensioning mechanism to change the tension in the snares; and a positive locking mechanism to positively lock said lever in at least one of a plurality of snare tensioning positions. The positive lock mechanism mechanically connects the lever to a body portion fixedly mounted to the percussion instrument. In the preferred embodiment, the positive locking mechanism comprises a movable button that is movable relative to the lever to change the positive locking mechanism to an unlocking condition where the lever is free to pivot with respect to the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Pearl Musical Instrument Co.
    Inventor: Akito Takegawa
  • Patent number: 7202405
    Abstract: A snare assembly for application in a snare drum including a cylindrical shell, a lower drum head and an upper drum head oppositely secured to the drum shell, and a snare strainer mounted to the drum shell for applying tension to the snare assembly. The snare assembly mounted adjacent the lower drum head of the drum and comprises a pair of end members and a plurality of generally parallel snare strands extending between and each permanently attached at opposite ends thereof to respective ones of the end members. The snare strands of the snare assembly have continuously graduated effective lengths for providing continuously graduated tension of the snare strands in a transverse direction of the snare assembly when the snare strands are elongated in an axial direction thereof by the snare strainer. Consequently, the snare assembly generates a musical tone continuously graduated in transverse direction of the snare assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Pearl Musical Instrument Co.
    Inventor: Akito Takegawa
  • Patent number: 7199296
    Abstract: A device for tension rods or attachment bolts for snare drums. The threaded tension rod or bolt may be a threaded locking bolt. In this way, the vibration caused by use of the drum does not lead to disengagement of the attachment means, or disengagement of the nuts from the tension rods. In these self-locking bolts, tension rods, or fasteners, a portion of the helical screw thread is replaced with a pliant member such as a polymer, and when the fastener is tightened, the polymer friction-fits to the threaded hole within the attachments means or nuts, rendering the fastener difficult to remove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Inventor: Carl Scott
  • Patent number: 7151211
    Abstract: A device for dampening sounds produced by a drumhead of a musical drum having a drumshell comprising a frame assembly having a first elongated bar member with a first channel and a second elongated bar member with a second channel. The two bar members are disposed in opposed spaced apart parallel relation. Mounting brackets are affixed and secured to the two bar members at their opposing ends. Attached, respectively, to the two mounting brackets between the two bar members are the opposing ends of an assembly of snare wires. The mounting brackets are also provided to connect the assembly to the drumshell and are vertically adjustable between a high tension position such that the snare wires are moved to press against the drumhead and a lower tension position in which the wires are caused to relax to enable the release of tension of the wires against the drumhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Inventors: Christopher Joesph Whittington, Louis Charles Cavallaro, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6958440
    Abstract: An adjust device for adjusting a tension of a snare of a snare drum includes a body laterally secured on a periphery of the snare drum. A slider is movably received in the body and one end of the snare is secured on the slider so that the tension of the snare is adjusted when the slider is moved. An adjuster is partially screwed into the body for adjusting the stroke of the slider. An actuated device includes a shaft having a first end extending through the adjuster and connected to the slider for driving the slider. A lever is pivotally connected to a second end of the shaft for lifting the shaft and the slider to pull the snare of the snare drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Lo Su Yu-Hwa
  • Patent number: 6949702
    Abstract: A quick disconnect that enables a drummer to quickly remove and apply tension to a drumhead of a drum is provided. The disconnect is operable with many types of drums, such as a conga drum. The disconnect allows a drummer at the end of a playing session to quickly release tension from the drumhead and thereby preserve the head and the barrel portion of the drum. Further, when the drummer wants to use the drum again, the quick disconnect allows the drummer to quickly reapply tension to the drumhead, wherein the tension reapplied is substantially the same as the tension applied immediately prior to the previous release of the disconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventors: Mark Ortega, Robert W. Connors
  • Patent number: 6916977
    Abstract: In a drum in which a drum head installed on one or both of open ends of a trunk main body that constitutes a drum main body of the drum is tightened by lug bolts and stretched by a hoop, reinforcing rings are provided in anchoring holes that are formed in the hoop for receiving bolt heads of the lug bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 6891098
    Abstract: A throw-off device for use on a drum having a side wall and a head, a support body attachable to the side wall of the drum, a tensioning member movable relative to the body to tension or release strands adjacent the drum head, a lever movable between selected positions, cam and follower roller elements that are relatively movable in response to lever movement to effect member movement, and a detent device for releasably holding the member in selected positions, whereby the degree of strand tensioning may be varied and retained at selected positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Drum Workshop, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald G. Lombardi
  • Patent number: 6867355
    Abstract: A drum acoustic wire assembly installed on a drumhead, including a plurality of acoustic wires disposed side by side in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the axis of each one of the wires, and a pair of wire holding plates that hold both ends of the acoustic wires. The acoustic wires are coil-form wires and are connected by soldering to the undersurfaces of the tip (inner) end portions of the wire holding plates. Projecting portions are formed on the undersurfaces of the base ends of the wire holding plates, so that, when the acoustic wires are in contact with the drumhead, the tip (inner) ends and the base (outer) ends of the wire holding plates are at substantially the same height or the tip ends are lower than the base ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Tomio Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6849793
    Abstract: An acoustic wire assembly mounted on a drumhead, including a plurality of acoustic wires disposed parallel to each other so as to be brought into contact with and moved away from the drumhead in which at least some of the acoustic wires are polygonal (square, pentagonal, hexagonal and octagonal) in cross-section, and they can be in a coil shape or a straight shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Tomio Okamoto, Shigehiro Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6846978
    Abstract: A snare drum strainer mountable to the shell of a drum comprises a piston and an actuator. The piston has an axis and a surface curved about an axis generally parallel to the piston axis, and the piston is operatively connected to snares. The actuator and the curved surface rotate one with respect to the other about an axis generally parallel to the piston axis to reciprocate the piston and to tension and untension the snares. In another embodiment, the piston includes a generally cylindrical surface with a generally helical groove, the piston is operatively connected to snares, and the actuator includes a follower insertable into the generally helical groove. The follower and the generally cylindrical surface rotate one with respect to the other to reciprocate the piston and tension and untension the snares.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Trick Percussion Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dorfman, Robert Szwaya, George Szwaya
  • Publication number: 20040168563
    Abstract: A snare drum strainer mountable to the shell of a drum comprises a piston and an actuator. The piston has an axis and a surface curved about an axis generally parallel to the piston axis, and the piston is operatively connected to snares. The actuator and the curved surface rotate one with respect to the other about an axis generally parallel to the piston axis to reciprocate the piston and to tension and untension the snares. In another embodiment, the piston includes a generally cylindrical surface with a generally helical groove, the piston is operatively connected to snares, and the actuator includes a follower insertable into the generally helical groove. The follower and the generally cylindrical surface rotate one with respect to the other to reciprocate the piston and tension and untension the snares.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Dorfman, Robert Szwaya, George Szwaya
  • Patent number: 6700046
    Abstract: The invention submitted pertains to a snare-switch mechanism for the snareband (2) of a snare drum (25), whereby one end of the snareband (2) is essentially fixed and the other end is connected to an adjusting mechanism (1), which is movable between a tightened position where the snareband (2) touches the bottom (24) of the drum and a loosened position. In order to create a snare-switch allowing for production of a much broader spectrum of drum tones during a musical piece, an adjusting mechanism (1) is provided with apparatus which can be pressed by a musician's thigh or knee, so that the snareband (2) can be gradually adjusted between tight and loose positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: Wahan Cherbettchian
  • Publication number: 20040031375
    Abstract: Snares for snare drums which decouple tensioning from the dimension and shape of snare segments which contact the drum head. According to various embodiments, the snares include one or more tensioning members and a plurality of head contact members. The tensioning members may be connected to conventional snare strainer plates or end pieces. Some or all of the tensioning members support or carry one or more head contact members. The tensioning members may be wire, polymeric material or other desired material. The head contact members may be wire coils or helixes, formed of beads or other periodic or non-periodic shapes or structures or structured and configured as otherwise desired to be carried on tension members and cooperate effectively with the drum head for proper acoustical effect. The snares are adapted to be used with batter and bottom heads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Julius John Hayden
  • Patent number: 6689944
    Abstract: An acoustic wire for a drum comprising a single long wire made of metal, resin, etc. and strung in a plurality of turns between a pair of supporting members. The single long wire in the form of a plurality of parallel acoustic wires comes into contact with the drum head when the supporting members are moved toward the drum head. The acoustic wire provides a long attenuation time of the vibration of the acoustic wire and large quantity of sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Yukimasa Okumura
  • Publication number: 20040011185
    Abstract: This invention is adapted to a snare drum having a snare that is stretched under tension above a snare head, wherein both ends of the snare is protected by snare gates, which are fixed to prescribed positions opposite to each other across the snare head stretched under tension across an opening of a hollow cylinder. Each of the snare gates is constituted by a slender horizontal plate, and a pair of legs fixed to a hoop that is fixed to circumferential ends of the opening of the hollow cylinder, wherein it is reinforced by ribs that are formed by inwardly bending side edges of the legs so that the ribs are formed integrally together with the legs. Thus, it is possible to increase the overall strength of the snare gate by using ribs without increasing the thickness of a material plate used therefore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventor: Norihiko Ishimatsu
  • Publication number: 20030177884
    Abstract: An acoustic wire assembly mounted on a drumhead, including a plurality of acoustic wires disposed parallel to each other so as to be brought into contact with and moved away from the drumhead in which at least some of the acoustic wires are polygonal (square, pentagonal, hexagonal and octagonal) in cross-section, and they can be in a coil shape or a straight shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomio Okamoto, Shigehiro Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20030172794
    Abstract: A drum acoustic wire assembly installed on a drumhead, including a plurality of acoustic wires disposed side by side in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the axis of each one of the wires, and a pair of wire holding plates that hold both ends of the acoustic wires. The acoustic wires are coil-form wires and are connected by soldering to the undersurfaces of the tip (inner) end portions of the wire holding plates. Projecting portions are formed on the undersurfaces of the base ends of the wire holding plates, so that, when the acoustic wires are in contact with the drumhead, the tip (inner) ends and the base (outer) ends of the wire holding plates are at substantially the same height or the tip ends are lower than the base ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomio Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6573442
    Abstract: A throw-off device for use on a drum having a side wall and a head, a support body attachable to the side wall of the drum, a tensioning member movable relative to the body to tension or release strands adjacent the drum head, a lever movable between selected positions, and cam and follower roller elements that are relatively movable in response to lever movement to effect member movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Drum Workshop, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald G. Lombardi
  • Patent number: 6534698
    Abstract: To adjust the tension on the snare of a drum head, one end of the snare is supported to an adjustment device, including a base on the drum trunk, a slide guided for movement vertically along the base and the snare is attached to the movable slide. First and second switches are pivotable on the base between off and on positions. Two shafts are attached to the slide. A respective link leads from each switch to a lifting member on the shaft and moving up of the switch moves the lifting member to raise the shaft to raise the slide to a varying extent depending upon the height of an adjustment nut on each of the shaft. The nuts on the two share adjustable for setting high tension and low tension on the snare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Hoshino Gakki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Hoshino
  • Publication number: 20020178895
    Abstract: The invention submitted pertains to a snare-switch mechanism for the snareband (2) of a snare drum (25), whereby one end of the snareband (2) is essentially fixed and the other end is connected to an adjusting mechanism (1), which is movable between a tightened position where the snareband (2) touches the bottom (24) of the drum and a loosened position. In order to create a snare-switch allowing for production of a much broader spectrum of drum tones during a musical piece, an adjusting mechanism (1) is provided with apparatus which can be pressed by a musician's thigh or knee, so that the snareband (2) can be gradually adjusted between tight and loose positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Wahan Cherbettchian
  • Patent number: 6462262
    Abstract: A drum main body comprising first, second and third drum body elements of cylindrical shape arranged in axial direction thereof. The third drum body element is interposed between the first and second drum body elements and is connected to rims of the first and second drum body elements by fastening bolts. The first, second and third drum body elements that are arranged in an axial direction thereof can be different from each other in materials and/or structure (depth).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 6441287
    Abstract: A snare drum assembly is provided which enables the snare drum element to be positioned internally of a drum. In the preferred embodiment, the snare mechanism acts against the top drum head of a drum, and permits the drum manufacturer to eliminate the lower drum head and related structure, greatly simplifying drum construction and cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Percussions
    Inventors: Steve P. Crouch, Mark W. Schafer, Roy A. Murray
  • Publication number: 20020083817
    Abstract: To adjust the tension on the snare of a drum head, one end of the snare is supported to an adjustment device, including a base on the drum trunk, a slide guided for movement vertically along the base and the snare is attached to the movable slide. First and second switches are pivotable on the base between off and on positions. Two shafts are attached to the slide. A respective link leads from each switch to a lifting member on the shaft and moving up of the switch moves the lifting member to raise the shaft to raise the slide to a varying extent depending upon the height of an adjustment nut on each of the shaft. The nuts on the two share adjustable for setting high tension and low tension on the snare.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: Hoshino Gakki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Hoshino
  • Patent number: 6245979
    Abstract: A drum insert comprising a thin, flexible sheet of material having an overall area substantially congruent with that of the bottom drum head, and a multiplicity of irregularities, preferably holes, distributed substantially uniformly over at least about 20% of the area of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: J. D'Addario & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James Campbell
  • Patent number: 6242679
    Abstract: A percussive instrument comprises two shells, each having open ends. The shells are positioned substantially end to end. Drum heads are positioned at the opposing open ends and between the two shells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: David L. Carlson
  • Patent number: 6239340
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel apparatus for the practice of use and simulation of a snare drum. The present invention provides a practice drumming pad that can reproduce the sound and feel of a snare drum, thereby allowing the user to practice proper rhythm and technique to produce the desired results when using a real snare drum. The practice pad of the present invention consists of a substrate having a rubber pad on the top surface, a recessed channel in the bottom surface, and a sound generating device consisting of a layer of pellets contained between two rigid plates secured in the recessed channel. The rigid plates and layer of pellets are secured in the recessed channel so as to allow little more than vibrational movement of the plates and pellets in the recessed channel. As one “drums” on the rubber pad, the vibrations are transferred to the plates and pellets to simulate the sound produced by a real snare drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: Kevin Michael Heuerman