The present invention relates to a support device for supporting a side drum.
A drum set, in general, includes a pair of side drums. Each side drum is supported above a bass drum by a support device or arranged beside a bass drum supported by a stand. A side drum support device includes a mount, which holds the side drum, and a support pipe, which supports the mount. A support device applicable for side drums of various sizes includes a mechanism for adjusting the position of the side drums in the horizontal direction (for example, in the forward and rearward directions) and a mechanism for adjusting the height and angle of the side drums. The structure of such a support device is shown in FIGS. 12 to 15.
For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,973,248 and 5,949,009 describe a structure in which a fastening piece 121 is fixed to the body of a bass drum BD, and a support bar 122 is supported by the fastening piece 121 in a relatively movable manner (see
Another conventional device shown in
In another conventional device shown in
When a plurality of side drums are arranged above a bass drum, the height and angle of each side drum and the positional relationship between the side drums are adjusted so that the drums can be beaten at the best positions. However, in the device shown in
It is an object of the present invention to provide a side drum support device enabling the position of a side drum to be easily adjusted in the horizontal direction.
One aspect of the present invention is a support device for a side drum. The support device includes a mount to which the side drum is attached. A support post supports the mount. A position adjustment mechanism adjusts the position of the side drum in a horizontal direction. A support bar is arranged on the support post and extends horizontally. The mount is supported in a manner movable relative to the support bar along the axis of the support bar. The position adjustment mechanism changes the position of the mount relative to the support bar and adjusts the position of the side drum in the horizontal direction.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.
The invention, together with objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which:
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.
As shown in
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the fastening piece 12 includes a base 21, a flat spacer 22 held between the base 21 and the bass drum BD, and a support plate 23 arranged in the bass drum BD. The four corners of the base 21 and spacer 22 are fastened by screws 24 to the bass drum BD with the support plate 23 held in between so as to fix the fastening piece 12 to the wall of the body of the bass drum BD.
A support hole 25 is formed in the upper surface of the base 21 to receive the support pipe 13. A groove 25a extends along the wall of the support hole 25 parallel to the axis of the support hole 25. A rectangular pressing plate 26 is arranged in the groove 25a. A T-shaped bolt 28 is inserted into the base 21 from the rear and tightened so as to fix the support pipe 13 to the base 21 with the pressing plate 26. The T-shaped bolt 28 is loosened to enable height adjustment of the support pipe 13 or removal of the support pipe 13 from the base 21.
The support pipe 13 includes a lower pipe 31 and an upper pipe 32. The lower end of the upper pipe 32 is inserted into the lower pipe 31, and the upper pipe 32 is movable along the inner surface of the lower pipe 31. A height adjustment mechanism HA is arranged on the upper end of the lower pipe 31 to adjust the height of the side drums SD.
The height adjustment mechanism HA, which includes a fixed pipe clamp 34a and a movable pipe clamp 34b, is fixed to the lower pipe 31 by the pipe clamp 34a. A pin 35 pivotally connects the pipe clamp 34b to the pipe clamp 34a. A screw 36 is inserted through the pipe clamps 34a and 34b. The distal end of the screw 36 is then mated with a T-shaped nut 38 with a washer located in between. When the T-shaped nut 38 is tightened, the upper pipe 32 is tightly held between the pipe clamps 34a and 34b so as to fix the upper pipe 32 to the lower pipe 31. When the T-shaped nut 38 is loosened, the position of the upper pipe 32 with respect to the lower pipe 31 may be adjusted. This adjusts the entire length of the support pipe 13 and thereby adjusts the height of the side drums SD.
A generally annular memory lock 39 is attached to the lower end of the lower pipe 31 by a nut and bolt. The memory lock 39 functions as a positioning member for setting the height and the angle of the support pipe 13, which extends upward from the fastening piece 12.
A mount 14 is connected to the upper end of the upper pipe 32 by a joint 40 and a support bar 41. As shown in
The support bar 41 has a hexagonal cross-section and extends linearly. The support bar 41 is arranged so that its axis is horizontally and extends in the forward and rearward directions. The support bar 41 supports the mount 14 so that the mount 14 is movable along the axis of the support bar 41.
As shown in
Each pressing member 46 has one end pivotally connected to the cover 43 by a pin and another end fastened to the cover 43 by a screw 48 and a T-shaped nut 49 mated therewith. The tightening of the T-shaped nut 49 restricts the rotation of the ball member 45a. This restricts the inclination angle of the rod 45b with respect to the support pipe 13 and thereby restricts the inclination angle of the side drum SD. Loosening of the T-shaped nut 49 enables rotation of the ball member 45a. This enables adjustment of the inclination angle of the rod 45b with respect to the support pipe 13. In the preferred embodiment, the ball-end rods 45, the screws 48, and the T-shaped nuts 49 form an angle adjustment mechanism DA for adjusting the angle of the side drum SD.
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, an insertion hole 50, which functions as a recess, extends through the cover 43 for insertion of the support bar 41, which supports the mount 14. The insertion hole 50 has a cross-section shaped to enable the support bar 41 to be fitted therein and extends linearly along the axis of the support bar 41. The insertion hole 50 opens in the side wall 43c of the cover 43 facing toward the joint 40. A guide plate 51, which is rectangular and formed of a resin, is arranged in the insertion hole 50. The upper portion of the support bar 41, which has a hexagonal cross-section, includes two wall surfaces 41a that respectively abut against the inner wall surfaces 50a defining the insertion hole 50. The lower portion of the support bar 41 includes a wall surface 41a abutting against the top surface of the guide plate 51.
In the cover 43, a first groove 53, which functions as a recess, having a trapezoidal cross-section is formed in the inner surface of the upper wall 43a so as to extend linearly from the above-mentioned insertion hole 50. The support bar 41 is arranged so that its upper portion is fitted in the first groove 53. In the upper portion of the support bar 41, two wall surfaces 41a respectively abut against wall surfaces 53a of the first groove 53.
Additionally, a projection 54 is integrally formed on the upper wall 43a for supporting the clamp 44. The projection 54 projects downward from the inner surface of the upper wall 43a. A pin 55 rotatably supports the basal end of the clamp 44 relative to the projection 54. A first through hole 56 extends through the upper wall 43a of the cover 43 in correspondence with the distal end of the clamp 44. An adjustment screw 57, which functions as a fastener, is inserted into the first through hole 56. A second through hole 66 is formed in the clamp 44 at a position corresponding to the first through hole 56 of the cover 43. The adjustment screw 57 is inserted through the second through hole 66 of the clamp 44 from the first through hole 56 of the cover 43. A nut 67 is mated with the distal end of the adjustment screw 57. The adjustment screw 57 is tightened to integrally assemble the cover 43 and the clamp 44.
A second groove 60, which functions as a recess, is formed in the upper surface of the clamp 44. The second groove 60 has a trapezoidal cross-section and extends linearly along the axis of the support bar 41. The support bar 41 is arranged so that its lower portion is fitted into the second groove 60. In the lower portion of the support bar 41, two wall surfaces 41a respectively abut against the inner wall surfaces 60a of the second groove 60.
A wall 62 extends orthogonally to the direction of extension of the second groove 60 from the generally middle portion of the second groove 60 in the clamp 44. A stopper pin 63 is fastened to the distal end of the support bar 41. Accordingly, rearward movement (toward the left as viewed in
When the adjustment screw 57 is tightened, the support bar 41 is held firmly from above and below by the cover 43 and the clamp 44. This fixes the position of the mount 14 relative to the support bar 41. The loosening of the adjustment screw 57 enables the position of the mount 14 to be changed relative to the support bar 41. In the preferred embodiment, the cover 43, the clamp 44, and the adjustment screw 57 form a longitudinal position adjustment mechanism LA for adjusting the position of the side drum SD in a longitudinal direction, or rearward and forward directions.
The tom holder 10 enables the height of the side drums SD to be adjusted with the height adjustment mechanism HA, and the angles of the side drums SD to be individually adjusted with the corresponding angle adjustment mechanisms DA. After the adjustment of the height and the angles of the side drums SD, the position of the side drums SD in the forward and rearward directions is adjusted by moving the mount 14 horizontal relative to the support bar 41 with the longitudinal adjustment mechanism LA. When doing so, the positional relationship between the side drums SD is kept constant. By carrying out these procedures, the side drums SD may be arranged at positions enabling the drummer to beat the drums most comfortably.
The operation of the tom holder 10 will now be described with reference to
In the prior art tom holder shown in
Comparatively, the tom holder 10 of the preferred embodiment employs the longitudinal adjustment mechanism LA, which includes the support bar 41 extending forward from the support pipe 13 and the mount 14 movably supported relative to the support bar 41. Reference character d2 denotes the distance between the load point P where the load of the side drum SD is applied and the fixed point Q where the support bar 41 is fixed (the point tightened by the adjustment screw 57). In this case, the longitudinal direction adjustment mechanism LA is arranged in the mount 14. Thus, the distance d2 between the load point P and the fixed point Q is much shorter than the distance d1 shown in
The preferred embodiment has the advantages described below.
(1) The tom holder 10 includes the support bar 41, which extends in the forward and rearward directions, and the mount 14, which is supported on the support bar 41 movably in the axial direction. The tom holder 10 further includes the longitudinal adjustment mechanism LA, which adjusts the position of the side drum SD mounted on the mount 14 in the forward and rearward directions. Accordingly, position adjustment of the side drum SD in the horizontal direction is enabled by changing the position of the mount 14 relative to the support bar 41. Further, the distance d2 between the load point P where the load of the side drum SD is applied and the fixed point Q where the support bar 41 is fixed is significantly shortened in comparison with the prior art. This reduces the load applied to the fixed point Q of the support bar 41 and minimizes bending force produced between the support bar 41 and the mount 14. Accordingly, horizontal movement of the side drum SD is enabled even when the side drum SD is mounted on the mount 14.
(2) The insertion hole 50 formed in the cover 43, the first groove 53 in the inner surface of the upper wall 43a of the cover 43, and the second groove 60 in the upper surface of the clamp 44 all extend along the axis of the support bar 41. Further, the mount 14 is supported by the support bar 41, which is arranged in the insertion hole 50 and the first and second grooves 53 and 60. Accordingly, smooth movement of the mount 14 along the axial direction of the support bar 41 is enabled by moving the support bar 41 in the insertion hole 50 and the first and second grooves 53 and 60. This facilitates position adjustment of the side drums SD in the forward and rearward directions. Further, the support bar 41 is inserted through the insertion hole 50 of the cover 43. This prevents the support bar 41 and the mount 14 from rattling against each other even if the cover 43 and the clamp 44 are not fastened to each other.
(3) The support bar 41 has a hexagonal cross-section, and the first and second grooves 53 and 60 have trapezoidal cross-sections. The mount 14 is supported with the upper and lower portions of the support bar 41 fitted in the first and second grooves 53 and 60, respectively. This prevents the side drums SD mounted on the mount 14 from rotating about the axis of the support bar 41 regardless of external application of a strong impact or vibration. This ensures that the mount 14 is fixed to the support bar 41 and that the side drums SD are held at the same positions subsequent to position adjustment.
(4) The guide plate 51, which is made of a resin, is arranged in the insertion hole 50 of the cover 43. When the mount 14 is moved relative to the support bar 41, the mutual sliding of the support bar 41 on the guide plate 51 enables further smooth movement of the mount 14 relative to the support bar 41. Even if the support bar 41 is fitted tightly in the insertion hole 50, repetitive sliding between the mount 14 and the guide plate 51 would result in compressive deformation or wear of the guide plate 51. As a result, movement of the support bar 41 relative to the mount 14 would gradually become smooth.
(5) The adjustment screw 57 is inserted into the second through hole 66 of the clamp 44 from the first through hole 56 of the cover 43. The nut 67 is mated with the distal end of the adjustment screw 57. Accordingly, the support bar 41 is held tightly between the cover 43 and the clamp 44 by fastening the cover 43 and the clamp 44 with the adjustment screw 57. This fixes the mount 14 to the support bar 41 and ensures that the side drums SD are held at the adjusted positions.
(6) The tom holder 10 has the stopping means, which includes the wall 62 located at the generally middle portion of the second groove 60, and the stopper pin 63, which is fastened to one end of the support bar 41. This prevents the side drums SD, which are heavy, from falling off the support bar 41 together with the mount 14 when adjusting the positions of the side drums SD in the forward and rearward directions.
(7) The tom holder 10 includes the angle adjustment mechanism DA for adjusting the angle of each side drum SD. The angle adjustment mechanisms DA enable the angles of the side drums SD to be adjusted so that the side drums SD may be beat at positions most comfortable to the drummer.
(8) The tom holder 10 includes the height adjustment mechanism HA for adjusting the height of the side drums SD. The height adjustment mechanism HA enables the position of the upper pipe 32 with respect to the lower pipe 31 to be changed in order to adjust the overall length of the support pipe 13. This enables the height of the side drums SD to be adjusted so that the side drums SD may be beat at positions most comfortable to the drummer.
(9) The tom holder 10 includes the fastening piece 12, which is fixed to the bass drum BD. The fastening piece 12 includes the support pipe 13, which is removable. Accordingly, the support pipe 13 may be removed from the fastening piece 12 and be mounted on another bass drum BD. Therefore, the tom holder 10 has high versatility.
It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Particularly, it should be understood that the present invention may be embodied in the following forms.
In the conventional tom holder shown in
The height adjustment mechanism HA used in the preferred embodiment for adjusting the height of the side drums SD may be omitted.
Although the preferred embodiment supports the mount 14 be inserting the support bar 41 through the insertion hole 50 and the space defined between the first and second grooves 53 and 60, the mount 14 may be supported in other ways. For example, as shown in
Although the preferred embodiment employs the support bar 41 for supporting the mount 14, a support member having any shape may be employed. For example, as shown in FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B), a planar support plate 101 may be arranged on the upper end of the support pipe 13 to movably support the mount 14. In this case, the support plate 101 includes two slots 101a extending in the forward and rearward directions (in the leftward and rightward directions as viewed in
In the preferred embodiment, the mount 14 is supported by the single support bar 41. However, the mount 14 may be supported by a plurality of support bars. For example, as shown in
In the preferred embodiment, the support bar 41 and the insertion hole 50 both have a hexagonal cross-section. However, the cross-sections of the support bar 41 and insertion hole 50 may have other polygonal shapes, such as triangular or quadrangular shapes. In this case, the cross-sectional shapes of the first groove 53 and second groove 60 may also be changed in accordance with the cross-sectional shape of the support bar 41.
In the preferred embodiment, the guide plate 51 is formed of a resin. However, the guide plate 51 may be formed from any other material as long as it has high lubricity, such as a ceramic or a metal.
In the preferred embodiment, the number of side drums SD that can be supported by the tom holder 10 may be changed as required. In such a case, the number of ball-end rods 45 in the tom holder 10 is determined in accordance with the number of side drums SD that are supported.
In the preferred embodiment, the angle adjustment mechanism DA for adjusting the angle of the side drum SD may be omitted.
In the preferred embodiment, the tom holder 10 supports the side drums SD on the bass drum BD. However, the present invention may be embodied, for example, in a support device that supports the side drums SD on a stand having a foldable tripod plate.
The present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalence of the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2005-270212 | Sep 2005 | JP | national |