Patent Application
20170103738
This disclosure relates generally to percussion instruments, and more particularly, to a side plate of a tuning assembly of a percussion instrument and method for manufacturing such a side plate.
Various types of drums are known in the art of musical instruments. For example, the conga is a tall, narrow, single headed drum. Most modern congas have a staved fiberglass shell and a screw tensioned drumhead. They are usually played in multiples with the fingers and palms of the hand. Many drums, such as the conga, include a skin which is drawn over the open top and/or bottom of a drum body and is attached to the exterior of the drum body by tacks or hooks received by a side plate assembly. Conventional side plate assemblies include a plurality of components that are welded together to restrict movement of the tack or hook relative to the drum shell.
According to a first embodiment, a side plate configured for use on a percussion instrument includes a base plate having a first surface and a second surface. A receiving portion is configured to removably connect to the base plate. The receiving portion extends beyond the second surface of the base plate when connected thereto. The receiving portion includes a hole extending parallel to the first and second surface of the base plate. A tuning rod is receivable within the hole and is configured to restrict movement of the receiving portion relative to the base plate.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the receiving portion is generally U-shaped.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the base plate includes a central opening into which the receiving portion is insertable.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the receiving portion includes at least one flange. The at least one flange is configured to abut the second surface of the base plate when the receiving portion and the base plate are connected.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments an inlet is formed in the second surface of the base plate, the inlet being generally complementary to the at least one flange.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments when the receiving portion is connected to the base plate, the at least one flange is disposed within the inlet such that the receiving portion and the second surface of the base plate are substantially flush.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the first surface of the base plate is configured to mount about an outer periphery of the percussion instrument.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the receiving portion is slidably movable relative to the base plate when the side plate is mounted to the drum.
According to another embodiment, a side plate configured for use one a percussion instrument includes a base plate having a first surface and a second surface. A receiving portion is integrally formed with and extends beyond the second surface of the base plate. The receiving portion includes a hole extending parallel to the first and second surface of the base plate configured to receive a tuning rod.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the base plate and the receiving portion are formed from a metal material.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments a thickness of the base plate is substantially identical to a thickness of the receiving portion.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the receiving portion is generally U-shaped.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the side plate is substantially symmetrical about a vertical plane.
According to another embodiment, a method of mounting a side plate to a percussion instrument is provided including aligning the side plate about an outer periphery of the percussion instrument. The side plate includes a base plate and a receiving portion. The side plate is then affixed to a surface of the percussion instrument.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments slidably inserting the receiving portion into an opening formed in the base plate.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments inserting a tuning rod through a hole formed in a receiving portion of the side plate and applying tension to the tuning rod.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the method does not include welding the receiving portion to the base plate.
The subject matter, which is regarded as the present disclosure, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the present disclosure are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The detailed description explains embodiments of the present disclosure, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.
With reference to
Each tuning assembly 30 includes a tuning rod 32 having a first end 34, for example including a hook, receivable within a corresponding hole 36 formed in the ring 26. A second, opposite end 38 of the tuning rod 32 is configured to extend through an opening or hole 40 (see
Referring now to
The base plate 50 has a first, generally planar surface 54 configured to contact an exterior 44 of the drum shell 22. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiments, at least one opening 56 formed in the base plate 50 is configured to receive a fastener 58 (see
The receiving portion 52 protrudes beyond a second, opposite surface 60 of the base plate 50. The receiving portion 52 is generally U-shaped and therefore defines the hole 40 oriented substantially parallel to the plane of the base plate 50, and that is configured to receive the tuning rod 32. The hole 40 in the receiving portion 52 is at least equal to the size of the tuning rod 32 such that the second end 38 of the tuning rod 32 extends there through. In one embodiment, the side plate 42 is substantially symmetrical about a vertical plane.
In the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in
When a side plate 42 having a separate receiving portion 52 and base plate 50 is mounted to the drum shell 22, the receiving portion 52 is positioned in an overlapping relationship between the drum shell 22 and the base plate 50. However, the receiving portion is slidably connected to the base plate, and relative movement of the receiving portion is restricted by the tuning rod 32. The threaded nut 46 connected to the tuning rod 32 extending through the hole 40 in the receiving portion 52 applies tension to the side plate 50. This tension generated by the tuning rod 32 further restricts sliding movement of the receiving portion 52 relative to the base plate 50.
In another embodiment, illustrated in
The side plates 42 described herein are easier and more cost effective to manufacture than conventional side plate assemblies. In addition, the time required to install the side plates 42 about the exterior 44 of a drum shell 22 is significantly reduced by eliminating the step of welding the receiving portion to the base plate that is necessary in common side plate installations and has been used for decades.
While the present disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to the exemplary embodiments as illustrated in the drawing, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
