Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to drum stands, and in particular to snare drum stands, and more particularly to snare drum stands and baskets of snare drum stands.
Description of the Related Art
Snare drums are common and widely used percussion instruments. The snare drum can sometimes be the center component and most prominent piece in a drum set. Snare drums are frequently used in orchestras, marching bands, concert bands, parades, drum corps, and many other applications. Because the snare drum is relatively easy to strike, it is highly accessible and often used in teaching.
Snare drums are usually double-sided drums, such that either head of the drum can be struck. Snare drums often come equipped with rattles, also called snares, metal wire, synthetics, and/or other devices that are stretched across one, or sometimes both, of the drum heads. Usually, a single set of snares is on the underside of the bottom, or unplayed, drum head. When the top drum head is struck, the snares on the bottom drum head resonate to give the snare drum its distinctive pitch. Band/orchestral, drum kit, and marching snare drums often use this type of snare.
Snare drum stands are often used in settings where the drummer is sitting, such as in bands/orchestras and drum kits. A common problem with snare drum stands is that they can be heavy and difficult to move. Additionally, some snare drum stands lack the ability to collapse, which makes them difficult to store.
Another common problem with snare drum stands is that when the snare drum is sitting on the stand, the stand can alter the tone of the drum. This can be caused by the stand muting the ringing of the drum. This can result in a less than desirable sound which is altered from the ideal or true tone of the drum without the influence of the stand.
Accordingly, there is a present need for a novel and efficient design for a drum stand, such as a snare drum stand, which specifically deals with the aforementioned problems.
The present disclosure relates to stands for use with an instrument, such as for a drum like a snare drum. Drum stand baskets according to the present disclosure can include, among other things, features which enable a drum stand and/or drum stand basket to be used with differently-sized snare drums; enable playing of the drum with a less distorted or undistorted sound compared to those drums played on prior art drum stand baskets; and/or enable compact storage and transport of a drum stand and/or drum stand basket.
One embodiment of a drum stand basket according to the present disclosure can include a center piece with an opening, and a spring attached to the center piece. An arm adjustment device can be attached to the second end of the spring. A first basket arm can be placed through the center piece opening and at least partially through an opening in the arm adjustment device and then locked into place using a connector.
Another embodiment of a drum stand basket according to the present disclosure can include a plurality of drum stand arms each including a drum holder. Each of the drum holders can include a ledge and a lip. The drum stand basket can be configured to hold a snare drum rim between the plurality of ledges and lips.
One embodiment of a drum stand according to the present disclosure can include a drum basket including a center piece and three arms attached to the center piece. At least two of the arms can be rotatable about the center piece.
This has outlined, rather broadly, the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described below. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the teachings of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features, which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further features and advantages, will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
The present disclosure relates to drum and/or cymbal stands and assemblies, such as snare drum stands, and the snare drum stand baskets. Embodiments of the present disclosure can include features for enabling use with differently sized drums, allowing better sound quality due to a novel drum holding concept, and/or enabling easy compacting and/or storage.
Throughout this disclosure, the preferred embodiment and examples illustrated should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “invention,” “device,” “apparatus,” “method,” “present invention,” “present device,” “present apparatus” or “present method” refers to any one of the embodiments of the disclosure described herein, and any equivalents. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the “invention,” “device,” “apparatus,” “method,” “present invention,” “present device,” “present apparatus” or “present method” throughout this document does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced feature(s).
It is also understood that when an element or feature is referred to as being “on” or “adjacent” to another element or feature, it can be directly on or adjacent the other element or feature or intervening elements or features may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” or extending “directly onto” another element, there are no intervening elements present. Additionally, it is understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.
Furthermore, relative terms such as “inner,” “outer,” “upper,” “top,” “above,” “lower,” “bottom,” “beneath,” “below,” and similar terms, may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element to another. Terms such as “higher,” “lower,” “wider,” “narrower,” and similar terms, may be used herein to describe angular relationships. It is understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the elements or system in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
Although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, or section from another. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, a first element, component, region, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated list items.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, when the present specification refers to “an” assembly, it is understood that this language encompasses a single assembly or a plurality or array of assemblies. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
It is understood that while the present disclosure makes reference to baskets and stands for use with drums, such as snare drums, and that snare drum stands are the primary application concerned with the present invention, devices incorporating features of the present invention can be utilized with any application that has components or elements which might be used with drums and/or cymbals.
Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to view illustrations that are schematic illustrations. As such, the actual thickness of elements can be different, and variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances are expected. Thus, the elements illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
As mentioned previously, drum basket 100 can be very light in weight. Accordingly, all of the components in drum basket 100 can be lightweight. For example, arms 102 can comprise a lightweight and/or sturdy material, including plastics, composites, and/or metals, such as titanium. However, it is understood that arms 102 can be made of any material. Drum holders 104, drum holder ledges 106, and/or drum holder lips 108 can be made of rubber, plastic, and/or any appropriate material for holding a drum. Further, the additional components in drum basket 100 can be both lightweight and/or sturdy. As such, arm adjustment device 110, connector 112, spring 114, center piece 120, screws 122, and/or any additional component can be made of lightweight and/or sturdy materials, such as plastics, composites, and/or metals, although it is understood that many different materials can be used.
Additionally, drum basket 100 can be adjustable, so as to fit different drum sizes. In some embodiments of the present invention, one of the arms 102 can be adjusted in length to fit drums with different diameters. However, it is understood that in other embodiments, the length of any one or more of arms 102 can be adjusted. Moreover, the one or more of the arms 102, and in some embodiments all of the arms 102, can rotate and/or swivel in order to adjust to different drum diameters. As discussed in further detail below, the arms 102 that rotate and/or swivel can also collapse to facilitate easier storage of the drum basket 100.
In the specific embodiment shown, the length of the arm 102a, opposite arm adjustment device 110, can be adjusted. In order to adjust the length of the aforementioned arm 102a, connector 112 can be unlocked, loosened, and/or removed, which can allow arm 102a to move in and/or out of center arm opening 130 and/or an opening, hole, or aperture within the arm adjustment device 110. To unlock, loosen, and/or remove connector 112, the connector 112 can be pulled up and/or pushed down, screwed in and/or screwed out, and other actuation means known in the art. As displayed in
It is understood that the length of arm 102 can be adjusted without using all of the aforementioned components, as well as by using any other component described herein.
In some embodiments, the other remaining arms 102 can be rotated and/or swiveled to fit different sizes of snare drums. In these embodiments, in order to rotate and/or swivel the remaining arms 102, connector 112 can be unlocked, loosened, and/or removed. In other embodiments, arms 102 can be rotated by unlocking, loosening, and/or removing screws 122. Nonetheless, it is understood that arms 102 may be rotated and/or swiveled, as well as adjusted in length, by many different ways. In addition to arms 102, any other components in drum basket 100, including but not limited to drum holders 104, drum holder ledges 106, and/or drum holder lips 108, can be adjusted and/or rotated to fit snare drums of different sizes.
The spring 114 can be biased to return the arm 102a to its position as locked by the connector 112. For example, if a user pulls the arm 102a outward and away from the center piece 120, and/or if a user pushes the arm 102a inward toward the center piece 120, the spring can return the arm 102a to its locked position or near its locked position upon the release of this force. This can help to prevent unintentional movement of a snare drum, and/or can help to ensure that the snare drum stays tight within the basket 100. Further, a user can set the locked position of the arm 102a to be slightly shorter than the necessary length for the desired snare drum. Then, the user can set the snare drum such that the arm 102a is biased against the snare drum edge by the spring 112. Next, the user can rotate the other arms 102 so as to be against the snare drum, all the arms 102 including arm 102a holding the snare drum in place.
In some embodiments, arms 102 can be adjusted so that drum basket 100 can fit snare drums between about 12 and about 15 inches in diameter, inclusive, although other embodiments are possible. For example, some drum baskets according to the present invention can fit snare drums between about 6 and about 30 inches in diameter, inclusive; and/or between about 7.5 and about 25 inches in diameter, inclusive; and/or between about 9 and about 18 inches in diameter, inclusive. It is understood that drum basket 100 can be adjusted to fit snare drums and/or other drums of any size diameter.
The hex-to-hex connection of arm 402a and center arm opening 430 in
In many snare drum stands known in the art, the snare drum will rest directly on the arms of the snare drum stand basket. As a result, the snare drum is on a hard surface, which can mute and/or “choke” the drum causing the tone of the drum to be altered. In contrast, because of the existence of drum holder ledge 406 and/or drum holder lip 408, snare drums used with drum basket 400 need not rest directly on arm 402. Indeed, a snare drum resting on drum holder ledge 406, such as below drum holder lip 408, and/or between drum holder ledge 406 and drum holder lip 408 will be able to move naturally and/or float as it is played, without the bottom of the inner portions of the snare drum 450 contacting drum arms 402. Accordingly, drum holder ledge 406 and/or drum holder lip 408 can work separately and/or together to hold a snare drum. As such, drum holder ledge 406 and/or drum holder lip 408 can allow the tone of a snare drum to remain unaltered and/or substantially unaltered, and/or to reduce any alterations that would be caused by a typical stand or basket, while the drum is being played on drum basket 400. Thus, the drum basket 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention can help a user experience a substantially unaltered, improved, and/or ideal snare drum tone.
Shaft adjustment knob 852 can be loosened so that the length of upper shaft 860 can be adjusted. Upper shaft 860 can raise up and/or drop down and into lower shaft 862. Upper shaft 860 is fully collapsible into lower shaft 862, which facilitates storing snare drum stand 800. Lower shaft 862 can connect to base 870, wherein snare drum stand 800 rests on base 870 and base tips 872. Base tips 872 can comprise rubber and/or any appropriate material to hold and support the rest of snare drum stand 800.
In order to adjust the tilt of snare drum stand 800, angle adjustment opening 840 can work along with a tilt adjustment knob 850 and/or rotation adjustment knob 854. For example, when tilt adjustment knob 850 and/or rotation adjustment knob 854 is loosened, the upper portion of basket 801, including arms 802, can be tilted. In one embodiment, this tilt adjustment requires both tilt adjustment knob 850 and rotation adjustment knob 854 to be loosened. In another embodiment, only one of these elements need be loosened. In yet another embodiment, one of these features is omitted, and the remaining feature must be loosened in order to allow the tilt adjustment. Many different embodiments are possible.
In one embodiment, loosening of tilt adjustment knob 850 can allow the basket 801 to rotate within angle adjustment opening 840. Once the user has selected a desired angle of tilt, tilt adjustment knob 850 can be tightened to lock the tilt angle into place. Accordingly, a user can adjust the tilt of snare drum stand 800 to correspond to his/her desired playing angle of a snare drum. Similarly, in another embodiment, loosening of rotation adjustment knob 854 can allow the basket 801 to rotate within the angle adjustment opening 840, and then rotation adjustment knob 854 can be tightened to lock the tilt angle into place. In yet another embodiment, loosening of tilt adjustment knob 850 and rotation adjustment knob 854 allows the basket 801 to rotate within the angle adjustment opening 840, and then tightening of both the tilt adjustment knob 850 and rotation adjustment knob 854 locks the tilt angle into place.
As discussed above with regard to drum stand basket 100, arms of drum stands and/or drum baskets according to the present invention can be rotatable.
Additionally, tilt adjustment knob 850 and/or rotation adjustment knob 854 can be loosened to allow arms 802 to rotate in a downward direction. Arms 802 can then rotate down so that they collapse into upper shaft 860 and/or lower shaft 862. In this manner, arms 802, upper shaft 860, and/or lower shaft 862 can come together to facilitate storing the snare drum stand 800. Accordingly, snare drum stand 800 is highly collapsible.
It is understood that embodiments presented herein are meant to be exemplary. Embodiments of the present invention can comprise any combination of compatible features shown in the various figures, and these embodiments should not be limited to those expressly illustrated and discussed.
Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to certain configurations thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the versions described above.
The foregoing is intended to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims, wherein no portion of the disclosure is intended, expressly or implicitly, to be dedicated to the public domain if not set forth in the claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/106,166 to Sikra et al., filed on Jan. 21, 2015, which is fully incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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1837637 | Walberg | Dec 1931 | A |
3405588 | Della-Porta | Oct 1968 | A |
20070199429 | Hsieh | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20150243268 | Miyajima | Aug 2015 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20160210943 A1 | Jul 2016 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62106166 | Jan 2015 | US |