Abstract: A drum apparatus comprising at least a front wall, a snare bar rotatably installed substantially parallel to and offset from the front wall inner surface and having at least one snare wire extending substantially vertically therefrom so as to be adjacent to and selectively in contact with the front wall inner surface, and a rocker assembly comprising a lever mechanically coupled to the snare bar at a first end of the lever and further comprising an actuator leg pivotally coupled to and extending downwardly from an opposite second end of the lever pivotally installed within the drum apparatus on a support post coupled to the lever intermediate the first and second ends thereof, whereby the drum apparatus is shifted between first and second operational modes by selectively positioning the drum apparatus either substantially flat or tipped back so as to raise or lower the actuator leg.

Abstract: An electronic percussion instrument that detects vibrations due to a hit and outputs a corresponding signal where the head of the instrument is held in place independent of a rim part. The independence stops vibrations originating from a hit of the rim from traveling to the head and interfering with the proper signal detection of hits to the head part.

Abstract: A musical drum having a tapered shell connecting to a bottom, the tapered shell having ribs. The shell has an opening opposite the bottom. The drum also contains a plurality of layered mounting blocks mounted on the outer surface of the shell. The drum also has a rim member surrounding the shell and adjustably mounted to the mounting blocks. A membrane is mounted on the rib member and covers the opening at the top of the shell. A plurality of legs are adjustably mounted to the shell. Handles can also be mounted to the shell.

Abstract: A drumhead for use in a percussion instrument is composed of multiple (e.g., two or three) plies of synthetic resin films, which are laminated together and are brought into close contact with each other when stretched across the opening of a hollow cylinder of a drum, for example. At least one air evacuation hole is formed at the center of the backside synthetic resin film or in proximity to the center of the backside synthetic resin film. Therefore, when the drumhead is stretched outwardly along a diameter direction of the opening of the hollow cylinder of the drum, remaining air between the films can be reliably evacuated from the air evacuation hole towards the exterior of the drumhead. Thus, it is possible to reduce unwanted loss in transmission of vibration between the films of the drumhead when beaten; hence, it is possible to realize good sound quality in the drum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a musician quality hand drum that may be produced in a simplified and economical manner. The hand drum is simplified in that it utilizes a ring interconnected within an open end of a simple tubular shell to allow a musical quality drumhead (e.g., an animal skin drumhead) to be interconnected in tension directly to the outside surface of the drum shell. In this regard, the need for an intricate, expensive drumhead fixation means and/or drumhead tensioners is eliminated, allowing for cost benefits to be realized.

Abstract: An interactive learning apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiments, the interactive learning apparatus comprises: (a) a housing; (b) an impact sensor unit in the housing; (c) a processor and memory unit operatively coupled to the impact sensor unit; (d) a display unit operatively coupled to the processor and memory unit; and (e) an audio output unit operatively coupled to the processor and memory unit, wherein the display unit is adapted to display an image in response to the user striking a portion of the housing.

Abstract: A collection device residing in an exterior environment for depositing refuse for disposal with the refuse material removed from a surface and then deposited into the collection device using a pressurized fluid flow to dispose of the refuse material by transferring the refuse material and the fluid to a sewer system. The collection device includes a pedestal body with a first end, a second end, and an internal void. Also included is a receptacle with a base, a surrounding sidewall extending from the base to define a receptacle interior separated from the exterior environment, the sidewall terminates in an opening forming a receptacle rim. The sidewall has a sidewall aperture adjacent to the opening, that receives fluid flow from a nozzle located in the exterior environment positioned to direct the pressurized fluid to flow from the nozzle into the sidewall aperture over an open gap.

Abstract: A drum includes a rigid, hollow body disposed about an axis and having first and second opposing opened ends of generally circular form. The body has an inner surface and an outer surface with the outer surface being of convoluted form defined by a plurality of channels formed in the body. The channels extend in a direction of the axis. A drum head membrane covers each of the first and second ends. A ring is mounted on each of the first and second ends so as to secure each drum head membrane to the body. Each ring includes a tensioning member receiving structure. A plurality of tensioning members are provided with a tensioning member being received in an associated channel and a first end of each tensioning member being received by the tensioning member receiving structure of each ring. The tensioning members are constructed and arranged to be moved with respect to the body to adjust tension of the drum head membranes.

Abstract: In a tunable drum, a connector member in the drum is attached by cables to a tuning ring, and is threadedly coupled by a tuning linkage to a retaining member fixed to the drum. Rotation of the tuning linkage with respect to the drum moves the connector member longitudinally and, as a result, adjusts the tension of the drumhead. In one embodiment, a handle fixed to the tuning linkage is positioned to engage a complementary coupling in a drum stand when the drum is retained by the drum stand. In another embodiment, the complementary coupling is movable between an operative position in which the drum can be tuned by rotating it with respect to the stand, and inoperative position in which the drum can be placed in the stand without the handle engaging the complementary coupling.

Abstract: A tambourine includes a frame that has a peripheral wall defining an interior space. The peripheral wall has a first edge and a second edge, each being adapted to be struck by a user. A plurality of apertures extends through the peripheral wall of the frame between an exterior face and an interior face of the peripheral wall. Each of the apertures has at least one sounding disc coupled in the respective aperture for making a sound when the peripheral wall of the frame is struck. The first edge of the peripheral wall of the frame has a plurality of protrusions that upwardly extend from the first edge. The protrusions are adapted for being raked across by the user such that the protrusions are for vibrating the sound disc in each of the apertures whereby the sound disc in each of the apertures produces a distinct sound.

Abstract: There is provided a shaken idiophone having at least two segments that define a sound chamber for holding a sound producing material. The segments are preferably located along the periphery of the shaken idiophone. The segments of the shaken idiophone are held together by at least one fastener having a resilient member. The resilient member urges the segments away from one another so that there is a space between the two segments. The amount of space between the segments can be varied while the shaken idiophone in being playing by squeezing the shaken idiophone. Thus, the shaken idiophone can create a variety of sound qualities.

Abstract: The present invention is a percussion accessory for attachment to a percussion tool, such as a drum stick. The percussion tool has an attachment region, and the percussion accessory is provided for creating musical sounds through the use of percussion tool by a user. The percussion accessory has a attachment means for attaching the percussion accessory to the attachment area of the percussion tool; a support attached to and extending from the attachment means; and, a sound device, such as a jingle, moveably attached to the support, wherein the sound device will move to create the musical sounds when the user uses the percussion tool. The percussion accessory also has a muffle device. The muffle device has a muffle and a lever. A muffling material is attached to the top of the muffle for engaging the sound device. The muffle device is pivotally attached to the support, wherein when the user presses the lever, the muffling material will engage the sound device for muffling the sound device.

Abstract: The bass drum of a drum set provided with drum heads at both ends of the cylindrical shell comprising first and second shell segments which can be split in the axial direction and detachably coupled so that the interior of the bass drum can hold, for instance, drum attachment fixtures, tom-toms, snare drums and so on. The bass drum is provided with auxiliary legs, a handle, a height adjuster leg, and the like attached on the outer surface of the shell.

Abstract: A variable pitch musical drum comprising at least one drumhead the pitch of which can be varied while the drum is being played by varying the volume of air inside the drum, by varying the rate of air flow into or out of the drum, or by a combination of these two principles.

Abstract: A drum set is formed from two drum shells, each having an extension member. One extension has a recess which receives the other extension to maintain the drum shells in spaced and fixed angular orientation. Ceramic, plastic and wood arrangements are described.

Abstract: A new stringed musical instrument having an appearance somewhat similar to a banjo or guitar or related instrument and comprising a head portion and an elongated neck secured to the head portion and extending outwardly therefrom. A plurality of strings, which may vary in number, extend across and in overlying relation to an outer face of the head portion and continuously therefrom along the length of the neck, where they are adjustably attached by individual, rotatably mounted pegs. The head portion preferably comprises a tambourine having an exposed outer face and an inner face and a flexible material membrane stretched in a taut orientation across the exposed outer face and in underlying relation to the plurality of strings. The tambourine head portion also includes a plurality of metal disks or "jingles" movably mounted on the peripheral sidewall thereof.

Abstract: An electronic percussion synthesizer assembly incorporates a novel structure for supporting the drum heads. The novel supporting structure comprises a spider assembly (83) comprised of a plurality of legs (150) joined at one end for defining a hub (152) and secured at their free ends to the perimeter of the drum head (65) on the underside thereof. The spider assembly (83) minimizes mechanical damping of the striking surface and, where a plurality of drum heads (62, 63, 64, 65) are used, also minimiizes "cross talk" between the drum heads. A novel foot pedal control (120) for altering the sounds produced by the drum head is also disclosed.

Abstract: A box type turkey call having an upwardly open sound box of a generally rectangular shape which overlies and is rigidly coupled to a closed sound box with which the open sound box shares a common wall. The common wall which extends laterally from the lower edges of the sidewalls of the open sound box forms a cover for the closed sound box. An elongated, wooden actuator top having a transversely convex undersurface is mounted, at one end, on the underlying open sound box and it can be scraped across the top edges of the sidewalls of the open box to produce a sound. The sound so produced is transmitted to the closed sound box where it is modified in tonal quality and amplified. Sounds which alternately closely simulate the hen turkey mating call and the gobble of a mature tom turkey can be generated with this turkey call.

Abstract: A bellows type toy tambourine with a bellows containing a space enclosed by two ring members. One of these ring members has a plurality of slots along its circumference. Each of these slots contains two round metal plates for giving metal collision sound by shaking while it is played as a tambourine. One of the ring members has a plurality of flues. Each of these flues is incorporated with a tongue so that different tunes can be given when the bellows is expanded or contracted to permit air to pass through the flues; i.e., when it is used as an accordion. It is a novel structure of toy instrument and a combination of toy drum, tambourine and accordion.

Abstract: A musical drum includes a generally spherical shell of a ceramic material having a thickness less than 3/8 of a inch as defining a resonant cavity therein; the shell having a bottom and an upper end; the shell being cut-out at the upper end thereof to define a first opening having a size sufficiently small to be entirely covered by the palm of a hand; the shell being cut-out, at a position between the first opening and a plane substantially mid-way between the bottom and the upper end, to define a second opening smaller than the first opening; and the shell being cut-out at a position below the plane to define a third opening for insertion of a microphone.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand held percussion toy comprising a pair of substantially parallel surfaces, each surface having a perimeter edge, the pair of substantially parallel surfaces being joined together by a third surface connected between the perimeter edges of the pair of parallel surfaces to form a sealed enclosure having an interior volume, the third surface having a recess therein extending into the interior volume, the recess being shaped to receive a thumb or a finger of a person for holding the percussion toy while maintaining the seal of the sealed enclosure whereby a drum-like structure is formed which produces a resonant tone when struck by another object.

Abstract: An inexpensive drum which is pitch variable over at least a fifth includes an elongated hollow cylinder cardboard shell with a drum head extending radially beyond the shell positioned at each end and a substantially inelastic cord threaded under tension to alternate between hooks connected to heads on opposite ends of the drum. The cord is spaced apart from the outer circumference of the shell and the drum tone may be selectively modified by manually squeezing the cord toward the drum shell. Each drum head includes a rigid ring assembly having a pair of planar standard hardboard rings which are stapled together to sandwich a membrane therebetween. Nails are passed through the rings toward the opposite end of the drum with the nail ends being looped to form hooks for receiving the cord.