US4742753A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drumhead with framed aperture
Assignee: HOLZ Ltd
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Filing: 1987-10-07
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Granted: 1988-05-10
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Expires: 2007-10-07
Abstract
Abstract The flexible diaphragm sheet of a drumhead of a drum as a musical instrument is apertured in a manner often done by drummers to enhance the sound emitted by the drum, but, in accordance with the invention, the aperture is rigidly framed about its defining margin to substantially reestablish the vibration integrity of the diaphragm and to protect it against splitting and cracking. Framing may be accomplished integrally with the diaphragm sheet in drum fabrication originally, or may be accomplished by securely clamping a frame in place about the defining margin of the aperture in existing drumheads or during fabrication of drumheads.
Inventors
- 👤 Zay Speed
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:54
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10D; G10D13/00; G10D13/10; G10D13/20; G10D13/01; G10D13/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A drumhead for a drum as a musical instrument, comprising a sheet of flexible drumhead material adapted to be stretched taut in a drumhead tensioning ring as a sound emitting diaphragm; a drumhead tensioning ring in which said sheet is mounted for tensioning; an aperture in said sheet; and a frame secured to said sheet marginally of and surrounding said aperture, said frame being substantially rigid relative to said sheet for substantially reestablishing the integrity of the apertured sheet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A drumhead for a drum as a musical instrument, comprising a sheet of flexible drumhead material adapted to be stretched taut in a drumhead tensioning ring as a sound emitting diaphragm; a drumhead tensioning ring in which said sheet is mounted for tensioning; an aperture in said sheet; and a frame secured to said sheet marginally of and surrounding said aperture, said frame being substantially rigid relative to said sheet for substantially reestablishing the integrity of the apertured sheet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A drumhead according to claim 1, wherein the frame is a clamp closed peripherally and having upper and lower clamping sections with confronting clamping faces clamped to the defining margins of the aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A drumhead according to claim 2, wherein the clamp is annular and has upper and lower, mating, ring sections screw threaded for clamping together, upon the margins of the sheet that define the aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A drumhead according to claim 2, wherein the confronting clamping faces of the clamp sections are planar in extent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A drumhead according to claim 2, wherein the clamping faces are matingly ribbed peripherally of the frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A drumhead according to claim 2, wherein the clamping sections of the clamp are made of a plastic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A drumhead according to claim 2, wherein the clamping sections of the clamp are made of metal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A drumhead according to claim 2, wherein the upper and lower clamping sections are clamped together by screws threaded thereinto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A drumhead according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a peripheral frame member adhesively secured to a face of the drumhead sheet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A drumhead according to claim 1, wherein the frame is at least partially of the same material as the drumhead sheet and is formed integrally therewith.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A drumhead according to claim 10, wherein the frame comprises a substantially rigid core extending continuously therearound, and a covering of the same material as, and integral with, the drumhead sheet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A drumhead according to claim 10, wherein the rigid frame is formed entirely of the same materials as, and is entirely integral with, the drumhead sheet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A drumhead according to claim 1, comprising double sheets similarly apertured in registery and having the defining margins of the apertures sealingly fastened together by the frame.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
A drum musical instrument, having a drumhead in accordance with claim 1.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A drumhead according to claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet is a polyester film characterized by high tensile strength.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
A drumhead sheet as a sound emitting diaphragm for musical instrument drums, comprising a flexible sheet of drumhead material having an aperture therein; and a frame secured to said sheet marginally of and surrounding said aperture, said frame being substantially rigid relative to said sheet for substantially reestablishing the integrity of the apertured sheet.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
A drumhead sheet as a sound emitting diaphragm for musical instrument drums, comprising a flexible sheet of drumhead material having an aperture therein; and a frame secured to said sheet marginally of and surrounding said aperture, said frame being substantially rigid relative to said sheet for substantially reestablishing the integrity of the apertured sheet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A drumhead sheet according to claim 16, wherein the flexible sheet is a polyester film characterized by high tensile strength.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
42 words
A method of modifying the sound of a drum provided with a drumhead, comprising the steps of: forming an aperture in said drumhead; and affixing a rigid frame marginally of the aperture leaving said aperture open to the interior of the drum.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
42 words
A method of modifying the sound of a drum provided with a drumhead, comprising the steps of: forming an aperture in said drumhead; and affixing a rigid frame marginally of the aperture leaving said aperture open to the interior of the drum.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-10 | 1991-11-09 | 1992-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-10 | 1995-11-09 | 1996-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-10 | 1999-11-09 | 2000-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |