Patent US3747463A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3747463A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Musical instrument of the percussion type
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-08-14
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Granted: 1973-07-24
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Expires: 1990-08-14
Abstract
Abstract Percussion instruments, typically kettledrums, are disclosed, wherein a plurality of adjustments are provided for, notably by a construction wherein a percussion head is carried on the drum and is subject to be variably tensioned; a plurality of tension members are disposed in spaced-apart relation peripherally of the drum and interconnect said head and a master tuning member; there being a pitch control for said member, disposed for ready access by a player at a given location, and having a mounting pivot at said location, and coupled to said master tuning member whereby to actuate the tension members in unison and vary the tension on the percussion head; and a supplemental fine tuning adjuster is disposed for ready access by the player at the same location; and, in typical embodiments, the instrument includes a base, and a frame mounted on the base for rotation relative thereto about the drum axis and having means supporting the drum so that rotation of the frame carries the drum and head therewith; and in the preferred arrangement there is a drum rotating control disposed at a location for ready operation by the player, comprising a motion-reducing mechanism, said mechanism preferably having an irreversible connection. Other features are shown, in combination with one or more of the foregoing, such as: a pitch indicator observable by the player, individual adjustments for the tension members, a foot-pedal pitch control pivoted at the heel end and normally set at a moderate angle to the horizontal, and means whereby the construction drums of different sizes.
Inventors
- 👤 F Hinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:25
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10D; G10D13/00; G10D13/01; G10D13/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
An adjustable percussion instrument comprising a drum; a percussion head carried on said drum and subject to be variably tensioned; a base; a frame mounted on said base for rotation relative thereto about the drum axis and supporting said drum peripherally of the latter so that rotation of said frame carries the drum and head therewith; a master tuning member mounted for movement axially of said drum; a plurality of tension members disposed in spaced-apart relation peripherally of the drum and interconnecting said head and said master tuning member; a tuning control mounted on said base at a location for operation by the player, and coupled to said master tuning member by a central tension connection for moving said member axially of said drum, whereby to actuate said tension members in unison and vary the tension on said percussion head; a swivel in said connection; and a supplemental fine tuning adjuster disposed for ready access by the player, and coupled to said master tuning member through said central tension connection for moving said member axially.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
An adjustable percussion instrument comprising a drum; a percussion head carried on said drum and subject to be variably tensioned; a base; a frame mounted on said base for rotation relative thereto about the drum axis and supporting said drum peripherally of the latter so that rotation of said frame carries the drum and head therewith; a master tuning member mounted for movement axially of said drum; a plurality of tension members disposed in spaced-apart relation peripherally of the drum and interconnecting said head and said master tuning member; a tuning control mounted on said base at a location for operation by the player, and coupled to said master tuning member by a central tension connection for moving said member axially of said drum, whereby to actuate said tension members in unison and vary the tension on said percussion head; a swivel in said connection; and a supplemental fine tuning adjuster disposed for ready access by the player, and coupled to said master tuning member through said central tension connection for moving said member axially.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The construction of claim 1 wherein the coupling of the tuning control to the master tuning member includes a motion-reducing linkage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The construction of claim 2 wherein said linkage has an adjustably movable fulcrum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The construction of claim 3 wherein the supplemental fine tuning adjuster acts to move said fulcrum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The construction of claim 1 wherein a drum rotating control is disposed at a location for ready operation by the player.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The construction of claim 5 wherein said drum rotating control includes a motion-reducing mechanism.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The construction of claim 6 wherein said mechanism has a self-locking connection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
168 words
In an adjustable percussion instrument comprising a drum and a percussion head carried on said drum and subject to being variably tensioned; a master tuning member; a plurality of tension members disposed in spaced-apart relation peripherally of the drum and interconnecting said head and said master tuning member; a pitch control lever for said master tuning member disposed for ready access by a player in a location at one side of the drum, said lever having a mounting pivot also disposed at said side of the drum; said lever being movable on said pivot in an arc whose concave side is toward the player''s location; linkage by which said lever is coupled to said master tuning member whereby to actuate said tension members in unison so as to increase the tension on said percussion head by a movement of said lever generally forwardly away from the player; and a supplemental fine tuning adjuster located at the same side of the drum and operative upon said master tuning member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
168 words
In an adjustable percussion instrument comprising a drum and a percussion head carried on said drum and subject to being variably tensioned; a master tuning member; a plurality of tension members disposed in spaced-apart relation peripherally of the drum and interconnecting said head and said master tuning member; a pitch control lever for said master tuning member disposed for ready access by a player in a location at one side of the drum, said lever having a mounting pivot also disposed at said side of the drum; said lever being movable on said pivot in an arc whose concave side is toward the player''s location; linkage by which said lever is coupled to said master tuning member whereby to actuate said tension members in unison so as to increase the tension on said percussion head by a movement of said lever generally forwardly away from the player; and a supplemental fine tuning adjuster located at the same side of the drum and operative upon said master tuning member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The construction of claim 8 wherein the pitch control lever comprises a foot pedal, pivoted at the heel end thereof, and set at a moderate angle to the horizontal when in an intermediate position of adjustment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
209 words
An adjustable percussion instrument comprising a drum and a percussion head carried on said drum and subject to being variably tensioned; a master tuning member; a plurality of tension members disposed in spaced-apart relation peripherally of the drum and interconnecting said head and said master tuning member; a pitch control lever for said master tuning member disposed for ready access by a player in a location at one side of the drum, said lever having a mounting pivot also disposed at said side of the drum; said lever being movable on said pivot in an arc whose concave side is toward the player''s location; linkage by which said lever is coupled to said master tuning member whereby to actuate said tension members in unison so as to increase the tension on said percussion head by a movement of said lever generally forwardly away from the player; and a supplemental fine tuning adjuster located at the same side of the drum; the instrument further comprising a base and a frame mounted on said base for rotation relative thereto about the drum axis and supporting said drum so that rotation of said frame carries the drum and head therewith but without corresponding movement of the tuning control and fine tuning adjuster.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
209 words
An adjustable percussion instrument comprising a drum and a percussion head carried on said drum and subject to being variably tensioned; a master tuning member; a plurality of tension members disposed in spaced-apart relation peripherally of the drum and interconnecting said head and said master tuning member; a pitch control lever for said master tuning member disposed for ready access by a player in a location at one side of the drum, said lever having a mounting pivot also disposed at said side of the drum; said lever being movable on said pivot in an arc whose concave side is toward the player''s location; linkage by which said lever is coupled to said master tuning member whereby to actuate said tension members in unison so as to increase the tension on said percussion head by a movement of said lever generally forwardly away from the player; and a supplemental fine tuning adjuster located at the same side of the drum; the instrument further comprising a base and a frame mounted on said base for rotation relative thereto about the drum axis and supporting said drum so that rotation of said frame carries the drum and head therewith but without corresponding movement of the tuning control and fine tuning adjuster.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The construction of claim 10 having a drum rotating control disposed also for ready access by said player at the same location.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
97 words
An adjustable percussion instrument comprising a drum; a percussion head carried on said drum and subject to be variably tensioned; a base; a frame mounted on said base for rotation relative thereto about the drum axis and having means supporting said drum so that rotation of said frame carries the drum and head therewith; a master tuning member mounted for movement axially of said drum and connected to said head; a central tension adjustment means for moving said member axially of said drum; and a swivel connecting said master tuning member and said central tension adjustment means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
97 words
An adjustable percussion instrument comprising a drum; a percussion head carried on said drum and subject to be variably tensioned; a base; a frame mounted on said base for rotation relative thereto about the drum axis and having means supporting said drum so that rotation of said frame carries the drum and head therewith; a master tuning member mounted for movement axially of said drum and connected to said head; a central tension adjustment means for moving said member axially of said drum; and a swivel connecting said master tuning member and said central tension adjustment means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The construction of claim 12 wherein the drum supporting means are adjustable to accommodate drums of different sizes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The construction of claim 12 wherein the drum has a general tuning control and a fine tuning adjuster, said control and said adjuster being disposed for access at the same player location, regardless of rotation of the frame.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The construction of claim 14 with a drum rotation control also disposed for access at the same location.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
The construction of claim 12 with a pitch control lever coupled to said adjustment means, and also having a pitch indicator coupled to said lever; said frame and drum supporting means being rotatable without uncoupling any of the other parts set forth.
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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) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |