Patent US5140889A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5140889A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electronic percussion synthesizer assembly
Assignee: MH Segan and Co Inc
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Filing: 1991-08-01
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Granted: 1992-08-25
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Expires: 2011-08-01
Abstract
Abstract An electronic percussion synthesizer assembly incorporates a novel structure for supporting the drum heads. The novel supporting structure comprises a spider assembly (83) comprised of a plurality of legs (150) joined at one end for defining a hub (152) and secured at their free ends to the perimeter of the drum head (65) on the underside thereof. The spider assembly (83) minimizes mechanical damping of the striking surface and, where a plurality of drum heads (62, 63, 64, 65) are used, also minimiizes "cross talk" between the drum heads. A novel foot pedal control (120) for altering the sounds produced by the drum head is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Marc H. Segan
- 👤 Michael Newsome
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:31
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H3/00; G10H3/12; G10H3/14; G10H3/146; G10D; G10D13/00; G10D13/01; G10D13/02; G10D13/10; G10D13/26; G10H1/00; G10H1/32; G10H2230/00; G10H2230/045; G10H2230/251; G10H2230/275; G10H2230/281
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
In an electronic percussion synthesizer assembly of the type comprising a drum control unit; at least one drum head comprising a substantially rigid material having an upper surface and incorporating a transducer for converting mechanical movement of said upper surface to an electrical signal indicative thereof, said transducer being electrically connected to said control unit; and a drum support member for supporting said drum head; the improvement comprising: a spider assembly for said drum head comprising a plurality of legs joined at one end for defining a hub, said legs comprising a resilient, flexible material and extending radially outward from said hub in spaced relation from each other, the free ends of said legs being secured to the perimeter of the underside of said drum head for supporting same; and means for securing said spider assembly to said drum support member, said legs of said spider assembly flexing when the upper surface of its drum head is struck, thereby reducing damping of vibrations transmitted from said upper surface to said transducer and damping vibrations transmitted to said legs for reducing transmission of mechanical shocks to said drum support member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
In an electronic percussion synthesizer assembly of the type comprising a drum control unit; at least one drum head comprising a substantially rigid material having an upper surface and incorporating a transducer for converting mechanical movement of said upper surface to an electrical signal indicative thereof, said transducer being electrically connected to said control unit; and a drum support member for supporting said drum head; the improvement comprising: a spider assembly for said drum head comprising a plurality of legs joined at one end for defining a hub, said legs comprising a resilient, flexible material and extending radially outward from said hub in spaced relation from each other, the free ends of said legs being secured to the perimeter of the underside of said drum head for supporting same; and means for securing said spider assembly to said drum support member, said legs of said spider assembly flexing when the upper surface of its drum head is struck, thereby reducing damping of vibrations transmitted from said upper surface to said transducer and damping vibrations transmitted to said legs for reducing transmission of mechanical shocks to said drum support member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The electronic percussion synthesizer of claim 1, further comprising a foot pedal electrically connected to said control unit, and wherein said control unit includes means for causing said at least one drum head to play one sound when said drum head is struck while said foot pedal is depressed and another sound when said drum head is struck when said foot pedal is not depressed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
162 words
The electronic percussion synthesizer of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional drum head, said additional drum head comprising a substantially rigid material having an upper surface and incorporating a transducer for converting mechanical movement of said upper surface of said additional drum head to an electrical signal indicative thereof, said transducer being electrically connected to said control unit; an additional spider assembly for said additional drum head, said additional spider assembly comprising a plurality of legs joined at one end for defining a hub, said legs comprising a resilient, flexible material and extending radially outward from said hub in spaced relation from each other, the free ends of said legs being secured to the perimeter of the underside of said additional drum head for supporting same; and means for securing said additional spider assembly to said drum support member, said damping of vibrations transmitted to said legs of said spider assemblies also serving to reduce cross-talk between said drum heads.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The electronic percussion synthesizer of claim 3, further comprising a foot pedal electrically connected to said control unit, and wherein said control unit includes means for causing at least one drum head to play one sound when said drum head is struck while said foot pedal is depressed and another sound when said at least one drum head is struck when said foot pedal is not depressed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
The electronic percussion synthesizer of claim 3, wherein said drum heads are circular; the radial distance from said hubs to the free ends of their associated legs exceeds the radius of the respective drum head; and said means for securing said spider assemblies to said drum support member comprises means for securing said hubs to said drum support member in spaced relation from the underside of their respective drum head with said legs being bowed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electronic percussion synthesizer of claim 5, wherein said free ends of said legs are releasably secured to the perimeter of their respective drum heads.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The electronic percussion synthesizer of claim 6, wherein each drum head incorporates a plurality of bosses, one for each leg, formed on the perimeter of the underside thereof, each boss defining a slot for receiving the free end of one of said legs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electronic percussion synthesizer of claim 7, wherein said drum heads are comprised of plastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electronic percussion synthesizer of claim 5, wherein said spider assemblies are comprised of plastic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electronic percussion synthesizer of claim 9, wherein said transducers are secured to the underside of their respective drum heads at the center thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electronic percussion synthesizer of claim 10, wherein said plurality of legs comprises three legs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
The electronic percussion synthesizer of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of drum support arms, one for each drum head, each support arm being secured at one end to said drum support member and at the other end to the respective spider assembly, and wherein said means for securing said spider assemblies to said drum support member comprises means for securing said spider assemblies to said other end of said drum support arms for movement relative thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
The electronic percussion synthesizer of claim 12, wherein said means for securing said other end of said support arms to said spider assemblies for movement relative thereto comprises said other end of said support arms including a surface having an elongate slot therein, and means for securing the respective hub at any position along said slot.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The electronic percussion synthesizer of claim 12, further comprising means for securing said one end of said drum support arms to said drum support member for movement relative thereto for accommodating additional adjustments in the position of said drum heads.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The electronic percussion synthesizer of claim 14, wherein said drum support member comprises a plurality of legs and a cross bar supported at either end by said legs, and wherein said one end of said drum support arms are secured to said cross bar.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electronic percussion synthesizer of claim 15, wherein said control unit is secured to said cross bar.
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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) | 1995-08-25 | 1996-02-24 | 1996-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-25 | 2000-02-24 | 2000-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-25 | 2004-02-24 | 2004-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |