This invention relates generally to percussion practice equipment, and more particularly to different drum practice pads embodied in one portable apparatus.
There is need for versatile, efficient, portable, compact percussion practice equipment, wherein multiple pads are provided; and there is need for such equipment wherein the pads and associated support means are located in close relationship, as in a compact reversible portable device, the pads characterized as producing different low level sounds, when struck as by drumsticks or user's fingers. There is also need for a cowbell type or shaped device integrated into the equipment, and which also produces a low sound level when impacted by a drum stick or fingers.
It is a major object of the invention to provide compact, versatile equipment, meeting the above need. As will be seen, the improved equipment basically comprising
a) a support,
b) multiple pads carried by the support to be selectively struck,
c) the pads characterized as producing different sounds, when struck as during practice,
d) at least one pad configured to be struck by a stick or sticks,
e) at least one other pad configured to be struck manually, by the drummer.
It is another object to locate certain pads to be exposed for impact, at opposite sides of a support, which is reversible. Such pads may for example to characterized as:
Another object is to provide a support in the form of a shell having through openings acting to attenuate sound produced when either pad is struck.
A yet further object is to provide an auxiliary percussion impact surface, and positioner structure carried by said support for positioning that surface in offset relation to the pads. That impact surface may consist of an elastomer, such as rubber, and may have cowbell outline or outlines.
An added object is to provide pads at opposite sides of a support shell, and consisting of elastomers, such as different rubbers having different shore hardnesses.
Another object is to provide a support shell for the different pads, the shell defining through openings, for sound attenuation.
A further object is to configure the auxiliary device defining the cowbell to be removable, and to include a pad support defining through openings.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following specification and drawings, in which:
a is a view like
In the drawings, a percussion practice pad assembly 10 includes a support, and multiple pads carried by that support to be selectively struck, as by drumsticks 11 (see
The illustrated support includes a base plate 12, to which a cylindrical shell 13 is attached as at 13a; and these elements may for example typically consist of wood. A “snare” pad 14 is carried by the base plate 12, and is surrounded by a metallic ring 15 attached to the plate. The pad may consist of a first elastomeric material, one example being rubber of a first selected shore value. An annular flange 17 on the ring may be attached to base plate 12, as by a fastener 20. In
The pad 14 may include a second elastomer material with an upper surface 14b; and that material may also consist of rubber of a second selected shore value, so that when surface 14b is struck by a drumstick, the produced sound audibly differs from the sound produced when surface 14a is struck.
The edges 14b′ of surface 14b, and 14a′ of 14a, are typically located in close proximity as shown, and may be arcuate, whereby the total surface extent of 14a and 14b is circular in area, as in the case of a circular drum. Also, the pad thicknesses under 14a and 14b may differ, to add to the sound differentiation. As referred to, the pad 14 is supported by the underlying plate 12.
Upon inverting the unit, another practice pad 25 is exposed, having a beating surface 25a. That pad may be a Conga practice pad, and have a down turned annular periphery 25b with circularly spaced extensions 25c retained by hooks 20a on the fasteners 20. Nuts 26 at the opposite ends of the fasteners may be tightened to retain the extensions 25a, in place as seen in
The cylindrical shell 13 is typically hollow, and may have through holes or openings 30 in its wall, to serve as outlets for sound produced by striking of the pads, some attenuation also being provided.
Referring back to
Wooden plate 42 may contain through openings as at 50; or filler (elastomer 52 for example) material some or all in openings 51, as seen in