BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a specific embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the details of a threaded attachment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention showing the details of a threaded attachment.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention showing the details of a threaded attachment.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in perspective in FIG. 18.
FIG. 6 shows an assortment of pitch modulator tube and plug components that are employed in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a prior art musical instrument comprising an African Djembe.
FIG. 8B is a perspective view of a prior art musical instrument comprising a Middle Eastern Doumbek.
FIG. 8C is a perspective view of a prior art musical instrument comprising an Afro-Cuban Conga.
FIG. 8D is a perspective view of a prior art musical instrument comprising a Japanese Shime Daiko.
FIG. 9 depicts a microphone placement relative to an embodiment of the present invention to receive and detect bass (low) and high pitch tones from a drum for conversion to a visual representation on a sound chart, such as those in FIGS. 10-15.
FIG. 10 is a chart depicting sound length in seconds and volume level in decibels for an embodiment of the present invention with a plug installed.
FIG. 11 is a chart depicting sound length in seconds and volume level in decibels for an embodiment of the present invention with the plug removed.
FIG. 12 is a chart depicting sound length in seconds and volume level in decibels for an embodiment of the present invention with a 6 inch tube installed.
FIG. 13 is a chart depicting sound length in seconds and volume level in decibels for an embodiment of the present invention with an 8 inch tube installed.
FIG. 14 is a chart depicting sound length in seconds and volume level in decibels for an embodiment of the present invention with a 14 inch tube installed.
FIG. 15 is a chart depicting sound length in seconds and volume level in decibels for the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 7 with the tube removed and an 8 inch opening exposed.
FIG. 16 shows a drum in accordance with the present invention being held between the players legs and played.
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional exploded view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in perspective in FIG. 18.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 illustrates one of several preferred embodiments of the pitch modulator drum 10 of the present invention. Drum 10 comprises a drum body 11, a vibrating membrane 12 for producing sounds in a range of low to high resonant frequencies, drumshell 14, which includes first open end 16 and second open end 18, drumhead 20, which includes membrane 12 and counterhoop 13 and covers first open end 16, drum lugs 15 and a cover 22, which includes a threaded opening 24, extending across and secured to second open end 18. Also provided is a resonant member 26 having a threaded first end 28 and a second end 30. Threaded first end 28 is provided for detachable coupling with threaded opening 24 in airtight relation to enhance and manipulate low resonant (or bass) frequencies independent of high pitched frequencies when the membrane is struck.
Resonant member 26 may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes, including 6, 8 and 14 inch tubes (FIG. 6) 26a, 26b and 26c, respectively, ranging from 2 to 4 inches (or more) in diameter and conical configured structures, such as the one shown in FIG. 4 as resonant member 33. Also shown in FIG. 6 is stopper 34, which when installed, virtually eliminates most, if not all, bass tones.
In order to ensure that first threaded end 28 is securely attached to mated threaded opening 24 in airtight relation, flange member 32 is provided to seal the connection.
FIG. 7 illustrates a Cajon drum 36, which is box-like in configuration, and includes resonant member 26 extending from wall 38 wherein the connection is sealingly airtight. The Cajon box has one large opening to produce a single bass sound when the thin wooden membrane 37 is struck. The Bass note can be lowered and the length of note can be increased in Cajon drum 36 with the employment of various length modulator tubes, such as tubes 26a, 26b and 26c.
FIGS. 10 through 15 provide a visual representation (converted from the signals received through microphones 19a, 19b and transmitted through wires 21a and 21b) showing the enhancement of the bass frequencies as various resonant members 26.
Thus, FIG. 10 illustrates the frequencies produced when stopper 34 is installed on drum body 11 and the majority of the sounds emanate from the higher harmonics of drumhead 20.
FIG. 11 illustrates the frequencies produced when stopper 34 is removed from drum body 11 and the bass or low frequency is produced, but with the majority of the sound still emanating from drumhead 20.
FIG. 12 illustrates the frequencies produced when tube 26a (6″) is installed on drum body 11 and there is an increase in bass (or low) sounds and a proportionate decrease in sounds in the higher range emanating from drumhead 20.
FIG. 13 illustrates the frequencies produced when tube 26b (8″) is installed on drum body 11 and there is a further increase in bass (or low) sounds and a proportionately greater decrease in sounds in the higher range emanating from drumhead 20.
FIG. 14 illustrates the frequencies produced when tube 26c (14″) is installed on drum body 11 and there is even a greater increase in bass (or low) sounds and a proportionately greater decrease in sounds in the higher range emanating from drumhead 20.
African Djembes (FIG. 8A), Middle-Eastern Doumbeks (FIG. 8B), Afro-Cuban Congas (FIG. 8C) and Japanese Shime Daiko drums (FIG. 8D) have a relative 10″ head size within their “family” of drums. Therefore, the preferred embodiment for drum 10 of the present invention includes a 10″ drumhead. Thus, drum 10 fitted with drumhead 20 of the proper thickness along with the appropriate size resonant member 26 enables the instrument to achieve authentic Doumbek, Djembe, Conga, and Shime Daiko drum sounds.
Middle-Eastern Doumbek drums are typically fitted with vibrating membranes of 0.007″ thickness. This particular drumhead thickness produces the nuance tones and pitches generally associated with a quality authentic sounding Doumbek instrument. Head sizes for this drum generally range from 7″-11″.
African Djembe drums are typically fitted with vibrating membranes of 0.010″-0.015″ thickness. This particular drumhead thickness produces the slap, open, and bass tones generally associated with this instrument. Head sizes for these drums range from 10″-18″.
Afro-Cuban Conga drums are typically fitted with vibrating membranes with a thickness between 0.025″ and 0.040″. This particular drumhead thickness produces the slap, open, and bass tones generally associated with this instrument. Head sizes for this instrument generally range from 10″-13″.
Japanese Shime Daiko drums are typically fitted with vibrating membranes with a thickness between 0.035″ and 0.060″. This particular drumhead thickness produces the powerful and piercing high pitched articulate tones generally associated with this instrument. There is no air escape hole in the drum body, keeping drumhead deflection to a minimum. Head sizes for this instrument range from 8″-15″.
Drum 10 with three tubes or resonant members 26, one “stopper” plug 34, and three drumheads 20 of 7 mil, 10 mi, & 40 mil in accordance with the present invention can produce authentic sounds of a Doumbek, Djembe, Conga, & Shime Daiko drum-saving investment costs, space and transportation. Thus, drum 10 of the present invention can be efficiently packaged in a box or case with dimensions of 19″×19″×6″.
In contrast, an Afro-Cuban Conga drum has typical dimensions of 17″×17″×32″; the African Djembe has typical dimensions of 15″×15″×26″; the Middle-Eastern Doumbek has typical dimensions of 13″×13″×20″; and the Japanese Shime Daiko has typical dimensions of 16″×16″×9″, the total requiring considerably more space and packaging than would drum 10 and all of its components in accordance with the present invention.
Weight comparisons include drum body 11, 6″ tube 26a, 8″ tube 26b, 14″ tube 26c and stopper 34 (9 lbs.) versus an 11″ conga (25 lbs.), 10″ Djembe (13 lbs.), 9″ Doumbek (9 lbs.) and a 10″ Shime Daiko (10 lbs.)
Having a flat bottom section on the drum body 11 allows the player 40 to simply rest drum 10 on top of the legs 42a, 42b in a seated position on a chair 44 with the resonant member 26 passing through the legs (FIG. 16). This simplistic design is extremely comfortable to play as there is no need to squeeze the legs together or employ a shoulder or neck strap to hold the instrument in place. There is also no need to tilt the drum for producing bass tones, as with a Conga drum.
While the invention will be described in connection with a certain preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that particular embodiment. Rather, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Patent Application
20080078279
