Patent Application
20080173155
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to a sound producing percussion instrument, in general, and to such an instrument which produces sounds in accordance with the operation of a drum (or the like) with a selectively variable tonal quality, in particular.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art comprises many percussion instruments and many combinations thereof to effect varying sounds, tonal qualities and sound combinations. For example, in many cases drums, for example, are arranged to include therewith appropriate cymbal arrangements. These cymbal arrangements can be operated by means of a foot pedal or the like whereby the cymbals are selectively brought together to produce cymbal sound. While the operator of the instrument may obtain different sound patterns as a function of his skill in operating the instrument, nevertheless, the sounds are very similar and variations therein are difficult to achieve.
Another instrument used in percussion is a tambourine which, effectively, includes a ring with small cymbals arranged thereon. In the known tambourines, the ring may be independent or, conversely, a membrane may be stretched across one side thereof so that the tambourine may be selectively struck by the user thereof. The tambourine produces a different type of sound from the cymbal arrangement discussed above and is frequently desired in a percussion rendition of a musical score. However, the tambourines which are known in the art require the user to hold the tambourine and shake or hit the instrument to produce a sound. This requirement, of course, forces the user to have one hand occupied which substantially precludes concurrent drumming or other percussion instrument operation. Moreover, the sound produced by the tambourine is very difficult to reproduce accurately in normal operation.
The maraca is frequently used in the rhythm section of orchestras or other musical groups and is used to establish rhythm in musical performances of all kinds. The maraca as is well known is comprised of a generally spherical dried and hollowed gourd or the like encasing dried seeds or other pellets that produces a “rattle” type percussion sound when it is shaken. The user holds the maraca by a long, narrow stem that is attached by various means to the body of the maraca casing.
Due to the fact that the casing of the maraca is regularly shaped, the tone of the “rattle” sound created by shaking it is invariable. The spherical shape additionally makes it difficult to store and carry the instrument. Additionally, the frequently used natural casing materials are extremely frangible, requiring the user to exercise great care in handling a maraca. The manufacture of a maraca is also relatively time consuming and cumbersome.
The need exists for an improved percussion instrument that produces sound when shaken.
A percussion instrument, such as a shaker, comprises a first disc-shaped member having an outer annular flange defining a first outer perimeter and a second disc-shaped member defining a second outer perimeter different than the first outer perimeter. The first and second disc-shaped members are directly interconnected to form a cavity therebetween, and a plurality of sound producing particles are disposed within said cavity defined by said first and second disc-shaped members.
An aperture may be provided in the disc-shaped members to enable the shaker to be attached to a suitable support member such as a tambourine body, a hi-hat system and the like.
The present invention relates generally to musical percussion instruments of the “rattle” type that are held in the hand of the user and shaken or attached to a movable instrument (e.g., a hi-hat or cymbal) to produce a musical tone series of musical tones and particularly to such an instrument for generating tones or series of tones associated with the rhythm portion of musical instrumentation. The tones generated by the device constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention are useful in encouraging people to dance and for creating and establishing a rhythm for dancing, as an aid in instructing dancing, as an accompaniment during dancing and any other similar musical use. It is also considered within the scope of this invention that the shaker disclosed herein can be embodied as a child's toy, an amusement device or any other similar type sound generating instrument.
With reference to
The sound producing particles 40 are contained between the two disc-shaped shell members 10, 20 and move freely within the cavity 30. The sound producing particles 40 are adapted and dimensioned so that they can freely travel in a space or an open area between the first and second shell members 10, 20, and accordingly, they are operative for producing sounds as they strike the inner walls of the shell members when the shaker is moved or shaken.
From the foregoing description, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that the present invention can be attached to tambourines, tambourine-type instruments, wristbands, sticks, hi-hats, cymbals, and other vehicles that when shaken or moved create a unique sound. For example, the shaker 1 may be disposed on a traditional tambourine as shown in
While the invention has been described with respect to the presently preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention that various changes and modifications in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
