US3553339A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drum-like musical instruments with electrical pickups and circuitry
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1967-12-11
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Granted: 1971-01-05
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Expires: 1987-12-11
Abstract
Abstract Musical instruments for electrically producing diverse drumlike sounds which include a rigid frame, a vibratable diaphragm carried by the frame, one or more metal foils on the diaphragm, and one or more variable reluctance pickup cartridges on the frame. A tom-tom is provided with a bridge and reverberation strings, and a snare is provided with a damping arm. A transportable cabinet with amplifiers, tone controls, and a speaker is provided for the tom-toms, snare, and other drumlike instruments.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L Dominguez
- 👤 Samuel G H Peake
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:14
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H3/00; G10H3/12; G10H3/14; G10H3/146; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S84/00; Y10S84/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A drumlike musical instrument comprising: a. a substantially rigid frame; b. vibratable diaphragm means forming a drum head carried by said frame; and c. signal generating means spaced from said drum head integral with said instrument for generating an electrical signal in response to vibration of said diaphragm means, said generating means comprising a ferromagnetic member, a variable reluctance pickup member for generating an electrical signal in response to the time rate of change of distance between said ferromagnetic member and said pickup member, one of said members being carried by said diaphragm means and vibratable therewith, and the other of said members being carried by said frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A drumlike musical instrument comprising: a. a substantially rigid frame; b. vibratable diaphragm means forming a drum head carried by said frame; and c. signal generating means spaced from said drum head integral with said instrument for generating an electrical signal in response to vibration of said diaphragm means, said generating means comprising a ferromagnetic member, a variable reluctance pickup member for generating an electrical signal in response to the time rate of change of distance between said ferromagnetic member and said pickup member, one of said members being carried by said diaphragm means and vibratable therewith, and the other of said members being carried by said frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
Instrument of claim 1 which includes: a. tension strings stretched across and carried by said rigid frame beneath said diaphragm means; and b. bridge means mechanically intercoupling said snare strings and said diaphragm means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
Instrument of claim 1 which includes means for adjustably damping the vibration of said diaphragM means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
126 words
A drumlike musical instrument comprising: a. a substantially rigid frame; b. vibratable diaphragm means forming a drum head carried by said frame; c. signal generating means integral with said instrument including; a ferromagnetic member carried by said diaphragm means and vibratable therewith, and a variable reluctance pickup member for generating an electrical signal in response to the time rate of change of distance between said ferromagnetic member and said pickup member when said ferromagnetic member vibrates with said diaphragm means; d. means for adjustably damping the vibration of said diaphragm means; e. means for adjustably controlling the amplitude of said electrical signal from said variable reluctance pickup member; and f. amplifier-speaker means for amplifying said controlled signal and aurally transmitting said amplified signal to a listener.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
126 words
A drumlike musical instrument comprising: a. a substantially rigid frame; b. vibratable diaphragm means forming a drum head carried by said frame; c. signal generating means integral with said instrument including; a ferromagnetic member carried by said diaphragm means and vibratable therewith, and a variable reluctance pickup member for generating an electrical signal in response to the time rate of change of distance between said ferromagnetic member and said pickup member when said ferromagnetic member vibrates with said diaphragm means; d. means for adjustably damping the vibration of said diaphragm means; e. means for adjustably controlling the amplitude of said electrical signal from said variable reluctance pickup member; and f. amplifier-speaker means for amplifying said controlled signal and aurally transmitting said amplified signal to a listener.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
142 words
A drumlike musical instrument comprising: a. a substantially rigid frame; b. vibratable diaphragm means forming a drum head carried by said frame; c. signal generating means integral with said instrument including; a ferromagnetic member carried by said diaphragm means and vibratable therewith; and a variable reluctance pickup member for generating an electrical signal in response to the time rate of change of distance between said ferromagnetic member and said pickup member when said ferromagnetic member vibrates with said diaphragm means; d. tension strings stretched across and carried by said rigid frame beneath said diaphragm means; e. bridge means mechanically intercoupling said tension strings and said diaphragm means; f. means for adjustably controlling the amplitude of said electrical signal from said variable reluctance pickup member; and g. amplifier-speaker means for amplifying said controlled signal and aurally transmitting said amplified signal to a listener.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
142 words
A drumlike musical instrument comprising: a. a substantially rigid frame; b. vibratable diaphragm means forming a drum head carried by said frame; c. signal generating means integral with said instrument including; a ferromagnetic member carried by said diaphragm means and vibratable therewith; and a variable reluctance pickup member for generating an electrical signal in response to the time rate of change of distance between said ferromagnetic member and said pickup member when said ferromagnetic member vibrates with said diaphragm means; d. tension strings stretched across and carried by said rigid frame beneath said diaphragm means; e. bridge means mechanically intercoupling said tension strings and said diaphragm means; f. means for adjustably controlling the amplitude of said electrical signal from said variable reluctance pickup member; and g. amplifier-speaker means for amplifying said controlled signal and aurally transmitting said amplified signal to a listener.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-04 | 1974-07-06 | 1975-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-04 | 1978-07-06 | 1979-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-04 | 1982-07-06 | 1983-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |