Supports Patents (Class 84/421)
  • Publication number: 20120266737
    Abstract: A support structure for a percussion instrument has a support member configured to suppress the transfer of vibrations to the floor surface, and provide stability during performance. The entire percussion instrument and a portion or all of the pedal device are elastically supported above the floor, on the support member through the first vibration isolating members. Vibrations from the percussion instrument member and the pedal device are dampened by the first vibration isolating members. The first vibration isolating members are provided between the support member and the percussion instrument member, to suppress the transfer of vibrations to the floor surface, while the support member is stably supported on the floor surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Mori
  • Patent number: 8294014
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for securing a media or audio player to a support and the related methods of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Jeffry Voorhees
  • Patent number: 8288639
    Abstract: An improved union group (1) for locking a music instrument (P) to a support element (A) having a pair of support organs (2, 3), suitable to be associated with the support element (A) and to support the music instrument (P), and a seal body (4), arranged above the support organs (2, 3), and connection means (5) which permanently bind the music instrument (P) to the support organs (2, 3). The connection means (5) include a bayonet joint part of which is given by a shaped portion (6) connected with the seal body (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Alessandro Carraro
  • Publication number: 20120255422
    Abstract: A shoulder supported carrier structure supports percussion instruments on shoulder shoulders of a user is disclosed. A connecting member that spans between the shoulder supporting member behind the user or performer. The connecting member is joined to an arm that is connected to at a back member that allows the back member to pivot and translate relative to the two shoulder supporting members to allow the back member to align with a back of a user. The connecting member may be joined to the one arm with a frictional connection. The arm may be connected to the back member with a frictional connection. The back member at least partially contours to the shape of the back and may further include an inflatable cushioning bladder and is positioned between and under shoulder blades of the user to increase arm mobility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventor: Randall L. May
  • Publication number: 20120234157
    Abstract: A cymbal support structure for holding a cymbal comprises a rod, a nut, a rotary element, an upper felt, a lower felt, a compression element, and an elevation adjustment ring. The nut is fastened to one end of the rod. The rotary element is pivotally coupled to the nut. The upper and lower felts clamp the cymbal. When the rotary element is rotated to parallel the nut, the cymbal and the upper and lower felts pass through the nut and rotary element to couple on the rod. When the rotary element is rotated to not parallel the nut, the cymbal and the upper and lower felts are prevented from passing through the rod. The elevation adjustment ring is screwed on the rod to push the compression element to compress the lower felt upwards. Via rotating the rotary element, the user can easily assemble or disassemble the cymbal to perform replacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Tsun-Chi LIAO
  • Patent number: 8269088
    Abstract: A cymbal support structure for holding a cymbal comprises a rod, a nut, a rotary element, an upper felt, a lower felt, a compression element, and an elevation adjustment ring. The nut is fastened to one end of the rod. The rotary element is pivotally coupled to the nut. The upper and lower felts clamp the cymbal. When the rotary element is rotated to parallel the nut, the cymbal and the upper and lower felts pass through the nut and rotary element to couple on the rod. When the rotary element is rotated to not parallel the nut, the cymbal and the upper and lower felts are prevented from passing through the rod. The elevation adjustment ring is screwed on the rod to push the compression element to compress the lower felt upwards. Via rotating the rotary element, the user can easily assemble or disassemble the cymbal to perform replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventor: Tsun-Chi Liao
  • Patent number: 8253002
    Abstract: A drum tuning device (10) comprises a drive head (14) adapted to engage a head of a drum skin tension control device, a motor (24, see FIG. 6) for rotating the drive head and control means for controlling rotation of the drive head. The control means includes three push buttons (16,18,20), which each control rotation of the drive head (14) to different pre-selectable angles of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Peter Christmas
  • Patent number: 8242343
    Abstract: A mount for mounting and affixing an object to a supporting structure, for example, a drum to a drum stand. The mount includes a hanger plate that mounts to the drum and a bracket that mounts to the drum stand. The hanger plate has a downwardly depending L-shaped flange that is received by a cavity in the bracket. Once inserted into the cavity, the weight of the drum translates through the flange to form a locking engagement of the drum to the drum stand such that the drum is supported substantially adjacent to the drum stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Noble & Cooley
    Inventors: Nicholas Pierce Jones, Jonathan Ralph Jones
  • Patent number: 8237038
    Abstract: A support system for an acoustic instrument has connecting elements of flexible material extending between and attaching the instrument and a support frame to support and/or balance the weight of the instrument and isolate acoustic frequencies, thereby eliminating deleterious acoustical effects. Embodied exemplarily herein as a support system for a drum, flexible elements extend between and attach the drum head hoop to a circular frame or support that fully or partially encircles the drum. The flexible elements may be made integral with the drum head and/or its head skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Gary Gauger
  • Patent number: 8203064
    Abstract: An adjustable, foldable support leg for a bass drum has a cylindrical leg member movable longitudinally within a tubular leg member. A threaded portion of the tubular member includes apertures in which ball bearings are located. The bearings are retained in the apertures by an annular locking collar which is also threaded to allow the collar to move longitudinally on the tubular member as the collar is turned. The locking collar has an interior frustoconical surface. When the collar moves downwardly on the tubular member, this surface presses the ball bearings against the cylindrical member, locking the leg members in place. A mounting bracket includes a pin about which the folding leg pivots and a channel which receives the inner end of the leg. The leg is biased against the floor of the channel which includes detents to receive the end of the leg in the folded and extended positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Ego Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter B. Jeffries, Tyler D. Hauth
  • Patent number: 8203061
    Abstract: The V type electric guitar footrest (2) which is attached to the lower part of the input socket device (5) consists of an L-sectioned, half triangular component (1) on the lower edge of the V type electric guitar and a triangular stabilizing backrest (3) that is attached to the rear side of the half triangular component (1). An alternative way of stabilizing the V type electric guitar inside the footrest is to attach a pair of retaining straps (4) on the rear side of the L-sectioned, half triangular component (1). A second alternative way of stabilizing the V type electric guitar inside the footrest (without having to use a stabilizing triangular part nor any retaining straps) is to use a U-sectioned (Ia) instead of an L-sectioned half triangular component (1), like the one mentioned in the first application method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Konstantinos Markakis
  • Patent number: 8182439
    Abstract: A body support system having a frame with a vertical section that couples with a shoulder section and a hip section that are flexible and configured to fit over the shoulders and around a user's hips. The hip elements are coupled to the vertical section and allow limited pelvic rotation around vertical axis orthogonal to the vertical section. The hip elements are configured to use a latching hip strap to couple hip padding to the hip elements. The vertical section may have spinal padding for the thoracic portion of the spine. The shoulder section has shoulder elements are curved and coupled to form a yoke that fits over the shoulders. The yoke may couple to lifting straps. The vertical section may be curved to conform to the shape of a user's back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Emerald Touch, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Glenn
  • Publication number: 20120118126
    Abstract: A tom holder has a holder body, a pivoting member supported pivotably with respect to the holder body, and a rod, which projects from the pivoting member with the tom fixed to the rod. The tom holder has a pair of openings located at opposed positions. The tom holder is configured to be usable in either a first mode, in which the rod projects from the first opening, and a second mode, in which the rod projects from the second opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: HOSHINO GAKKI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Naoki SATO
  • Patent number: 8178768
    Abstract: A drum rim raising device that is attachable to an existing drum structure, comprising an arc section of a drum rim configured to be secured to the existing drum housing. The rim raising device is configured to support a triggering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: James Frederick Shepherd
  • Patent number: 8178769
    Abstract: Described herein is a stand for mounting a variety of percussion instruments. These instruments are positioned in a way that allows them to be struck by a drum pedal. The stand has unique adjustment features that allow virtually any mountable percussion instrument to be utilized. The device itself can be mounted in several different ways; on the inside of a bass drum shell or as a free-standing unit. The device can be used as a mount for complete electronic drum pads, or to hold electronic sensors or muffling devices against drum heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Mark David Steele
  • Publication number: 20120103164
    Abstract: A connection assembly of the present invention is provided for connecting a drum shell to a support. The connection assembly includes at least two fixation pieces, a connection member, two positioning bolt and a clamp. The fixation pieces are fixed on the drum shell. The fixation pieces are fastened on the connection member along a horizontal direction and a horizontal direction by the positioning bolts and several tension rods. The clamp is disposed on the connection member. The clamp is used for being detachably connected to the support. As such, the drum assembled from the drum shell is stably supported by the connection assembly. Performance can be precisely provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Wei-Pin WANG
  • Patent number: 8170258
    Abstract: A bass drum microphone device for securing a microphone inside a bass drum comprising a first support bar, a second support bar, and a cross support bar, and the bars connect to form an H-shaped structure. Attached to the cross support bar is a microphone attachment component for attaching a microphone to the bass drum microphone device. The microphone can be placed at various locations within the base drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Paul D. Wells
  • Publication number: 20120073421
    Abstract: A drum riser incorporating third party clamps and bars making one sturdy rack and riser combination. The third party clamps are attached to the riser by way of the clamp receivers. These receivers are placed in several locations to accommodate multiple configurations. The receivers are mounted by bolts to the riser making them removable so they can be moved to different locates on the riser. The risers small platform is achieved by mounting the rack out at an angle and attaching all components from the rack; allowing for the most space saving configuration possible. The riser can be manipulated to accommodate acoustic drums, electronic drums, and hand percussion. The height of the riser can be adjusted by interchanging the riser legs, which are available in varying heights. The riser is constructed of a rigid metal and welded together making a solid and durable unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Anthony Ramirez
  • Patent number: 8141703
    Abstract: Provided is an instrument housing case, which allows an instrument to be readily taken in and out of the instrument. The instrument housing case (10) includes: a main body case (20), which has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and includes an opened upper end surface and opened upper portions of parts of side surfaces; and a cover body (30). The cover body (30) includes: a top plate (31) adapted for an opening portion (26) of the upper end surface of the main body case; and a side plate (33) adapted for an opening portion (28) of the parts of the side surfaces of the main body case (20), the side plate (33) including a lower end portion pivotably fixed to the main body case (20) through a hinge (40). The cover body (30) covers the opening portion (26) of the upper end surface and the opening portion (28) of the parts of the side surfaces of the main body case (20) to thereby allow the opening portions (26, 28) to open and close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Sakai Composites Corp.
    Inventors: Jiro Sonoda, Takuji Kishita, Sumito Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 8138406
    Abstract: A pedal board extension provides a pedal board with a platform for additional effects and/or over-sized effects. One or more U-shaped members are arranged along one edge of the extension. When the extension is mated to the pedal board, the U-shaped members engage with an end rail of the pedal board, thus securely joining the extension to the pedal board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Chris Vinciguerra
  • Publication number: 20120048096
    Abstract: Drum hardware and drum secured thereon are preferably supported on a vest type carrier or a T-bar carrier having a plurality of separate parts removable from each other and formed of a rigid light material such as plastic or a light metal such as magnesium, aluminum or titanium. The carrier has a vest or belly plate, shoulder supports, and back bar and the shoulder supports are removable and/or adjustable. The supporting elements are of rod, tube, pipe or tubular construction. Special padding may be included on the shoulder supports, belly plate portion and other parts where cushioning is needed. The hardware may be universally adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: RANDALL L. MAY
  • Patent number: 8106277
    Abstract: A sound generating instrument having at least three resonant struts, each resonant strut having a length, terminal ends, longitudinal axis along said length and cross section. At least nine tension elements are provided causing the resonant struts to be compressively connected to other resonant struts by attachment of the tension elements at at least two points along the longitudinal axis of each resonant strut. A striker element is provided for selectively contacting the resonant struts for generating sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventors: Ronald J Barnett, Gregory W Cherry, Michio Furukawa
  • Patent number: 8106278
    Abstract: The inventive technology, in embodiments, relates variously to item support apparatus that offer one or more of a variety of operational benefits, including but not limited to independently operable force enhancers whereby various retention forces may be enhanced independently of one another, and side-assembly. The inventive technology presents, generally, two different types of apparatus—one featuring a ball having a passage through which an item support rack member (e.g., a drum rack member) may be slidingly passed, and a second featuring a ball without a passageway therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Swift Distribution Inc.
    Inventor: Donald H. Eason
  • Publication number: 20120017747
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a support for a percussion instrument and, in particular, to a cymbal support device. The device includes a body having a base section, an intermediate neck section, and a cap section. A bore extends through the body along body central axis. The cap section is configured to selectively tilt or flex when a predetermined amount of force is applied thereto. In operation, the support device is mounted on a cymbal support pole at the desired vertical position, and the cymbal is placed on the body such that it is supported by the cap. In use, as the cymbal is engaged by a percussionist, the cap flexes with the movement of the cymbal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Paul Albert Onheiser
  • Publication number: 20120006178
    Abstract: Described herein is a stand for mounting a variety of percussion instruments. These instruments are positioned in a way that allows them to be struck by a drum pedal. The stand has unique adjustment features that allow virtually any mountable percussion instrument to be utilized. The device itself can be mounted in several different ways; on the inside of a bass drum shell or as a free-standing unit. The device can be used as a mount for complete electronic drum pads, or to hold electronic sensors or muffling devices against drum heads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventor: Mark David Steele
  • Patent number: 8093479
    Abstract: A percussion instrument carrier system for carrying percussion instruments by members of a marching band. A preferred embodiment of the percussion instrument carrier system includes an interlock mechanism that provides for one of either mounting the percussion instrument onto the percussion instrument carrier or dismounting the percussion instrument from the percussion instrument carrier by only the manipulation of the percussion instrument in relation to the percussion instrument carrier as needed to respectively and operatively engage or disengage components of the interlock mounting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventors: Mark W. Schafer, Steven P. Crouch
  • Publication number: 20120000343
    Abstract: The invention provides nesting drum set designs suitable for packaging drums having standard height (depth) and standard drum head and fastening frames sizes in a self-contained fashion, wherein some of the drums have drum head diameter differences of circa 2? one from the other, thereby providing a compact and relatively lightweight packed drum set that can be comfortably transported or stored while occupying substantially small storage/luggage space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: AMI DRUMS LTD
    Inventor: Ami Rothenberg
  • Patent number: 8088984
    Abstract: A convertible percussion cart-platform system includes first and second instrument platforms that are shiftable between a transportation position and a performance position for moving and positioning musical instruments and a player platform that is shiftable between folded and unfolded positions for allowing a user to perform on instruments supported by first and second instrument platforms in the performance position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Wenger Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis R. Meyer, Matthew W. Loftus, Mark E. Gallea, Aaron Harris, Craig J. Ulrich, Michael D. Jines
  • Patent number: 8084676
    Abstract: The distal structure of a leg for a musical instrument stand is constituted of a spike member installed inside the storage of a case having a ground portion whose ground surface is placed on the floor, a rotor interconnected to the spike member, and a single operator projected above the case. Upon a first depression, a presser of the operator depresses a projection of the rotor downward so that the spike member protrudes from the ground surface. In the protruded state of the spike member, the projection of the rotor is engaged with a receptor formed in a stepped interior of the storage. Upon a second depression, the presser of the operator depresses the projection of the rotor again so as to release the engagement between the projection and the receptor, so that the spike member moves to retract inside the storage of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Fumihiro Shigenaga
  • Patent number: 8063296
    Abstract: An Apparatus for Percussive Harmonic Musical Synthesis (APHAMS) which facilitates state-of-the-art musical expression, through generation of melodic sound, bearing well defined tone and note pitch, by the striking of uniquely configured multiple note activitation trigger mechanism surfaces, termed muzi-pads, with an appropriately sized mallet, stick, or other such similar playing implement, for the generation of a desired note, by a given MIDI device and which provides an enhanced emulation of the traditional tenor steelpan, in its interface with the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventors: Brian R. Copeland, Marcel Byron, Earle Philip, Keith Maynard
  • Publication number: 20110271817
    Abstract: A drum-kit rack system allows a bass drum and a hi-hat cymbal of a drum-kit to be attached to the drum-kit rack system. The bass drum is combined with the drum-kit rack system at a lower space of the drum-kit rack system defined by a horizontal bar and two abreast vertical posts of the drum-kit stand, while the hi-hat cymbal is combined with the drum-kit rack system at an open end of the horizontal bar or an extension rod. In virtue of the structure and spectral configuration of the drum-kit rack system, the bass drum and the hi-hat cymbal can be reliably positioned and prevented from sliding away when receiving a beating force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: CHAO-YING HSIEN
  • Patent number: 8055008
    Abstract: A sound amplifying guitar stand, the combination comprising a stand having a guitar back supporting panel extending upright, support legs, and a sound amplifier supported proximate to and at the rear of the panel, the panel configured to pass amplified audio sound forwardly, when a guitar is lifted off the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventor: Larry Steven Davis
  • Patent number: 8053655
    Abstract: Drum hardware and drum secured thereon are preferably supported on a vest type carrier or a T-bar carrier having a plurality of separate parts removable from each other and formed of a rigid light material such as plastic or a light metal such as magnesium, aluminum or titanium. The carrier has a vest or belly plate, shoulder supports, and back bar and the shoulder supports are removable and/or adjustable. The supporting elements are of rod or tubular construction. Special padding may be included on the shoulder supports, belly plate portion and other parts where cushioning is needed. The hardware may be universally adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventor: Randall L May
  • Publication number: 20110265632
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to cymbal mounting assemblies, and provides viscoelastic washers for mounting a musical cymbal onto a conventional cymbal stand to preserve the integrity of the cymbal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Gavin Harrison, David Hollingbery
  • Publication number: 20110259175
    Abstract: An internal support device comprising horizontal and vertical straps and a plurality of mounting devices for positioning and isolating acoustic microphones interior to a percussion instrument. The vertical straps are rubber or similar shock absorbing material, arranged in a rectangular pattern and secured at their ends to a percussion instrument shell using a series of isolating lug attachments. Horizontal straps of similar material span opposing vertical straps to form two H-shaped frames for one or a plurality of microphone stand devices. Embodiments of the stand devices include a flat plane attached between the vertical straps, a modified flat plate with an internal wire harness for suspending a microphone, and a flat plane with microphone arm extensions therefrom. An alternate embodiment of the overall device includes a motorized adjustment means and a conveyor means for positioning and refining a microphone position within the drum interior without entering the drum cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Jonathan Mollick
  • Publication number: 20110259174
    Abstract: A carrier for use by a person to carry a device extending outwardly from said person. The carrier preferably having an abdominal plate with a pair of support members extending from the abdominal plate, around the waistline of the person, continuing up the back and along the thoracic portion of the person's back, and stopping on the top portion of the trapezius muscle of the person. One or both support members may be detachable from the abdominal plate. Alternatively, one or both support members may rotate relative to the abdominal plate. Adjustment points may be placed on the support members to allow for the members to be sized appropriately for the person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Rodney Arcaro, Dave Clark
  • Patent number: 8026433
    Abstract: The MRS NAP apparatus is disclosed for carrying marching percussion or other objects, particularly but not exclusively drums of various sizes and amalgamations and other objects carried at a person's frontal area near waist height. The apparatus is worn about the user's waist and the utility uses the person's hips to bear the instrument's load. Current state of the art places a majority of the load upon the shoulders and spine. The apparatus relieves the shoulder and spine of weight and pressure and also allows more upper body movement. The MRS NAP apparatus consists of an exoskeleton load bearing frame for a solid platform to hold the carried object stably, an endoskeleton padded for comfort, a vertical spinal column brace, and straps from the apex of the spinal column brace for stability of larger objects. The MRS NAP apparatus is adjustable for various consumers of diverse sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventors: Ned Allen Place, Mikel Rust Shelton
  • Patent number: 8022282
    Abstract: A baseplate, for use with a bass drum, including a center plate and a pair of wings extending outwardly therefrom. Each wing cradles and is adjustably secured to a lug affixed to a drum shell of a bass drum. A connection plate unitarily constructed with and extending from the center plate includes a terminal end with a lip for adjustably interfacing with a pedal clamp of a drum beater assembly for connecting the drum beater assembly to the bass drum. The pedal clamp is removably connectable to any point along the lip for laterally adjusting the striking point of a beater head onto the bass drum, the bass drum isolated from the pedal clamp for improving the resonance performance thereof, without changing the length of a beater shaft or the feel of the drum beater assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventor: Nicholas R. Burns
  • Publication number: 20110219937
    Abstract: A support system for an acoustic instrument has connecting elements of flexible material extending between and attaching the instrument and a support frame to support and/or balance the weight of the instrument and isolate acoustic frequencies, thereby eliminating deleterious acoustical effects. Embodied exemplarily herein as a support system for a drum, flexible elements extend between and attach the drum head hoop to a circular frame or support that fully or partially encircles the drum. The flexible elements may be made integral with the drum head and/or its head skin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: Gary GAUGER
  • Publication number: 20110219938
    Abstract: A bass drum support hoop for supporting one or more percussive instruments, and a method of supporting one or more percussive instruments, above a bass drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: Duncan McBain
  • Patent number: 8003870
    Abstract: Envisioned is an easily storable mute holder for securely holding a plurality of musical instrument mutes which is removably suspended from a music stand. The mute holder serves a musician using a set of mutes while playing a musical instrument where a rapid change of instrument mutes is required. The mute holder can be folded flat and conveniently transported or carried, for example within the instrument case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Roger PetroRoy
  • Publication number: 20110192269
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for securing a media or audio player to a support and the related methods of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Jeffry Voorhees
  • Publication number: 20110162510
    Abstract: An ensemble of acoustic steelpan musical instruments, being an innovation which significantly improves upon traditional acoustic steelpan prior art. Said improvements include an extension of note range across the assemblage of G-Pans, a substantial reduction in the number of steelpans required to effectively cover the steelpan musical range, the use of a compound design whereby individual component parts of the instrument, specifically the playing surface, chime, rear attachment, or skirt and the playing stick or mallet, are optimized for their specific function, the application of a variety of techniques for eliminating or reducing, non-musical sympathetic vibrations and the inclusion of a variety of mechanical and acoustic resonator designs, to enhance optimally, the sound projection of the aforementioned instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
    Inventor: Brian R. Copeland
  • Publication number: 20110162509
    Abstract: The MRS NAP apparatus is disclosed for carrying marching percussion or other objects, particularly but not exclusively drums of various sizes and amalgamations and other objects carried at a person's frontal area near waist height. The apparatus is worn about the user's waist and the utility uses the person's hips to bear the instrument's load. Current state of the art places a majority of the load upon the shoulders and spine. The apparatus relieves the shoulder and spine of weight and pressure and also allows more upper body movement. The MRS NAP apparatus consists of an exoskeleton load bearing frame for a solid platform to hold the carried object stably, an endoskeleton padded for comfort, a vertical spinal column brace, and straps from the apex of the spinal column brace for stability of larger objects. The MRS NAP apparatus is adjustable for various consumers of diverse sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Ned Allen Place, Mikel Rust Shelton
  • Patent number: 7964781
    Abstract: An assembly for mounting musical instruments comprises a base, a bearing, the bearing secured to the base, a post, the post comprising a head, the head comprising a plurality of mounting flanges for mounting a musical instrument, and a body, the body fixedly connected to head at a first end, the body further rotatably engaged to the bearing at a second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: KMC Music, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Lovvorn, Andrzej Krol, Ray Enhoffer, Richard Simons
  • Patent number: 7960634
    Abstract: A support system for an acoustic instrument has connecting elements of flexible material extending between and attaching the instrument and a support frame to support and/or balance the weight of the instrument and isolate acoustic frequencies, thereby eliminating deleterious acoustical effects. Embodied exemplarily herein as a support system for a drum, flexible elements extend between and attach the drum head hoop to a circular frame or support that fully or partially encircles the drum. The flexible elements may be made integral with the drum head and/or its head skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Gary L. Gauger
  • Publication number: 20110126693
    Abstract: One embodiment of a drum rack system device of the type having an octagonal rail member (1), has internal muffling or foam (2), attached to a clamping body (3), and is secured with a screw (4). The clamping body (3) is secured to a clamping arm (6) with a pin (5). The clamping body (3) contains housing for a swiveling t-nut (8). A tension rod (9) will pass through a concave washer (10). In addition, a cylinder (11) will pass through a hole in an easy locking lever (12) and the tension rod (9) will pass through and screw into the swiveling hardware (8). The completed assembly will clamp on to a round tube leg rack, allow height adjustability, and fold up with a flip of an easy locking lever. There is a raised-geared teeth (13) design on the top and bottom face of the clamp portions that will interlock at various and precise angles with other geared clamps. Other embodiments are described and shown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: Antonio Reyes
  • Patent number: 7943840
    Abstract: A support bracket having a body may be configured to be mountable on a percussion instrument, the body having a first passage defined at least in part by a first wall surface, the body having a second passage defined at least in part by a second wall surface. A fastening member may be configured to clamp a first support rod to the body in a case where the first support rod is inserted into the first passage and the fastening member operatively engages the first support rod to press the first support rod against the first wall surface, and to clamp a second support rod to the body in a case where the second support rod is inserted into the second passage and the fastening member operatively engages the second support rod to press the second support rod against the second wall surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Yoshino, Hidekazu Higuchi
  • Patent number: 7928304
    Abstract: At least one embodiment of the inventive technology may be a support apparatus that includes at least two item support rails supported by support legs coupled thereto by pivot coupler apparatus that enable rotatable motion of a coupled support rail about a substantially vertical axis, where at least one of the item support rails is a non-horizontal item support rail, and where a cable passes through at least a portion of one or more of the support rails. In certain embodiments, the couplers may be height adjust couplers that enable substantially purely vertical, translatory height adjustment of coupled support rails and/or the couplers may couple item support rails to rail support legs at an angle other than ninety degrees. Items that may be supported include but are not limited to electronic percussion instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignees: Swift Distribution, Inc., Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Donald H. Eason, Steven Grant Fisher
  • 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