Patent Application
20080271588
The invention relates to a construction method for a drum body and, more particularly, to method of manufacturing drums using a stave construction system with tongue and groove interlocking members.
Drum bodies provide a resonant cavity for the vibrations initiated by the stick hitting the head. Thus, the sound produced depends upon the quality of the body's construction. This is particularly true of congas, bongos, djembes, etc. that are typically made with stave construction. In the case of snare drums, the body determines the nature of the vibrations passing to the head and the snares on the lower side and thus the quality of their tone as well.
The traditional art of solid stave drum shell construction has been used in congas and djembes for many years. A stave drum utilizes a shell made up of multiple segments (or staves). This type of construction not only generates a unique sound, but the use of exotic hardwoods in various combinations creates a striking visual effect as well.
Stave drum shells are made in a method similar to constructing a barrel, where sections of wood are joined by either spline or butting methods which is held by glue. This technique provides phenomenal strength and rigidity while maintaining the tone and response of a solid wood shell. One of the most valuable qualities of a stave drum shell comes from the vertical grain bearing edges which conduct vibration and resonance and sound through the shell far better than any other shell configuration. This method greatly improves the quality of wood in contact with the drum head as hundreds of square inches of glue are eliminated from the process.
Many drum bodies also have a construction of plywood. Typically, the material includes five to seven thin plies of wood glued together with their grains running in crossing directions. Bending the plywood then forms the circular configuration of the body. Shaping the plywood, however, places it under stress. As a result, it displays a lower capacity for transmitting vibrations and thus reduces the desired tone from the drum. It also shows a propensity for interfering with the passage of vibrations from the upper to the lower head of a snare drum.
Furthermore, the glue between the plywood layers also has a tendency to absorb and dampen vibrations from the heads. In particular, the glue also appears at the upper and lower edges upon which rest the heads. This direct contact between the heads and the glues also destroys vibrations that could create the desired tone. In addition, the grain in the several layers of the plywood run at crossing directions. Thus, a strong attack on the drum head creates vibrations in the separate layers which can, in fact, cancel each other. Furthermore, plywood, when placed under the pressure of the heads, can change its shape. This change in shape causes the body to lose some of its capability to transfer and transmit vibrations. Especially do drum bodies losing their shape suffer in their capability of properly transmitting the vibrations for loud tones.
Drum bodies can be made of wood, metal, acrylic plastic, carbon fiber, and other materials. However, wood has been the main choice by builders and drummers alike for many years. Wood produces a warmer tone than metal and is more aesthetically pleasing. Usually, drum bodies made of metal do not satisfy many discerning ears.
In addition, presently available drum bodies have only a limited “sweet” area which gives a desired sound when contacted with the drumstick and properly affects the snares when present. The player, accordingly, must take care not to hit the head outside of this area.
Thus, drum manufacturers have used various types of construction for drum bodies including those discussed above. However, each shows some drawbacks in use. Accordingly, the search for an improved drum body continues.
The present invention provides a drum body, preferably made from solid wood that avoids many of the problems of the prior bodies. It especially produces a most pleasing tone over a wide range of loudness while providing strength and durability.
In accordance with this invention, a tongue and groove construction is employed to form a drum body. More specifically, a percussion instrument comprises a plurality of blocks interlocked to form a solid surface having the shape of a cylinder with two open ends. Each of the blocks extends from the inside to the outside of the cylinder. A drum head may be in contact with one of the ends of the body; and fixing means, coupled to said head, may retain the drum head under pressure against one of the ends. The blocks are interlocked through a tongue and groove joint extending between the two open ends.
A tapered drum shell 10, as shown in
Referring now to the
Each of the tuning mechanisms 160, which serve to vary the skin tension completely around the ring 140, includes a rod 180 which is provided, at its upper end, with a hook 200 fitting into an opening 220 in a boss or other hook (see
This embodiment is preferred, however, it is not intended to be limitative. As shown in
The drum body shown generally at 10 in
With reference to
With reference to
A block or stave 11 preferably remains in an unstressed condition as it forms part of the drum body 10. Yet, to form a solid drum body, the faces of adjoining blocks should make complete contact with each other. This requires the blocks, when viewed from above as shown in
Typically, the blocks or staves 11 require some form of glue to hold them together. Traditional glues (e.g., wood or aliphatic resin glues) adequately provides that function without having an undue, deleterious effect upon the vibrations within the body 10. Of course, this invention should not be limited to any specific adhesive as would be understood by those of skill in the art.
To find use as a drum, the body 10 must also include the head and hardware which holds a skin or known material in a stretched condition over the end of the body 10.
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.
