Abstract:
Drum hardware and drum secured thereon are preferably supported on a vest type carrier or a T-bar carrier having a plurality of separate parts removable from each other and formed of a rigid plastic, light metal such as magnesium, aluminum or titanium. The removable hardware includes a removable back support member. The instrument carrier includes an articulating hinge that allows for positive, negative or neutral horizontal positioning of the instruments. The articulating hinge assembly further allows the carrier to be folded for easier transportation and storage in a smaller area.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of applicant&#39;s application Ser. No. 08/588,244, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,492, issued Nov. 25, 1997 and Ser. No. 08/976,999 filed Nov. 24, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,257 issued Feb. 22, 2000, and application Ser. No. 10/170,005, filed Jun. 10, 2002., and application Ser. No. 10/374,676 filed Jan. 8, 2001  
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to new and useful improvements in apparatus for carrying percussion instruments, particularly drums of various kinds, cymbals, xylophones, and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a carrier hardware providing a novel articulating hinge assembly for the support for percussion instruments and to carrier assemblies supporting percussion instruments on a person while standing, walking or marching. The carrier assembly has a construction and relationship of parts to transfer the weight of the percussion instrument(s) to the body of a person. A clamp is located in the front of the carrier. The clamp allows the carrier to be folded for easier transportation and storage in a smaller space. The clamp can be loose to allow the linked parts to move freely, or the clamp can be locked to fix the linked parts in position. The person carrying the instruments maintains a stable attitude while walking or marching about and avoids pressure or other forms of detrimental forces on the shoulders and lower back and is further characterized by having removable and/or adjustable back support member or members. The adjustment to the back support member position may also be accomplished using a fixed back support member with adjustable shoulder straps. The back member may be secured to the shoulder straps and the shoulder straps may be removable and or adjustable to accommodate different sized users.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The prior art discloses many examples of apparatus for supporting percussion instruments but none providing the combination of features disclosed and claimed herein.  
         [0004]     La Flame U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,683 discloses a carrier for percussion instruments having an abdominal plate connected at one end of a unitary frame partly encircling the wearer at the waist and having an upstanding rear portion pivotally connected to a back pressure plate. Shoulder bars are connected to the back pressure plate, and wrap about shoulders and support straps connect to the abdominal plate, which has suitable fixtures for attachment of various percussion instruments. This invention uses a fixed chest plate that does not hinge to allow free movement, or folding of the vest. The absence of the hinge clamp prevents the carrier from being folded for easier storage.  
         [0005]     La Flame GB patent 2,123,676 (based on U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,442) discloses a carrier for percussion instruments or the like which includes the combination of a belly plate with a carrier bracket for supporting an instrument at an outwardly-overhung position about a fulcrum area of contact with the front waistline area of the person. The patent includes a rigid band with a generally bent contour to extend along a portion of the waistline area of the person to the back of the person. The patent includes a back-plate riser arm supported by the ban to extend in a generally upward direction such that a portion of the arm will extend along the back thoracic region of the person, and means carried by the arm for imparting to the thoracic back region of the person. The arm causes a reactive force to the overhung weight of the instrument about the aforesaid means forming a fulcrum area of contact with the person. This invention uses a fixed chest plate that does not hinge to allow free movement, or folding of the vest. The absence of the hinge clamp prevents the carrier from being folded for easier storage.  
         [0006]     May U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,492 discloses hardware for supporting drums that is of a hinged construction and has one part of the hinge connectable to an external support, e.g., J-rods on a fixed support or a marching drum carrier. Another part of the hinge is connectable to the shell of a drum or to the tension rods on a drum or to other hardware on the drum. This invention allows for a hinge where the instruments are connected to the supporting structure, but the hinge is not located in the chest area of the user. The location of the hinge in this patent is intended for movement of the percussion instrument, and is not for the purpose of folding of movement in the area above where the instrument is attached.  
         [0007]     May U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,407 discloses hardware for a shoulder supported carrier for percussion instruments with a hinge located in the chest area. This invention allows for a hinge in the chest support region, but it does not, allow for the hinge to be clamped to lock the orientation of the upper and lower portions of the carrier.  
         [0008]     May U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,257 shows drum hardware and drums secured thereon preferably supported on a vest type carrier or a T-bar carrier or a fixed post or pedestal.  
         [0009]     May U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,290 shows a hinged support for an array of drums.  
         [0010]     May U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,583 discloses hardware and drums secured thereon preferably supported on a vest type carrier or a T-bar carrier with adjustable vest components.  
         [0011]     May U.S. Pat. No. 6,403,869 discloses hardware and drums secured thereon preferably supported on a vest type carrier or a T-bar carrier with adjustable vest components.  
         [0012]     The prior art discloses many examples of apparatus for supporting percussion instruments but none provide the combination of features that allow for a lockable hinge clamp that allows the carrier to both articulate, fold and lock into position. The prior art does not disclose an assembly that can be folded to allow for easier transportation and storage. The combination of features will be disclosed and clamed herein.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     One of the objects of this invention is to provide a new and improved instrument carrier with a hinged clamp located in the front of the instrument carrier.  
         [0014]     Another object of the invention is providing an pivoting hinge mechanism that can be adjusted from free movement to a locked orientation.  
         [0015]     Another object of the invention is to provide an instrument carrier that can be folded to allow for easier transportation, carrying and storage.  
         [0016]     Another object of the invention is to provide changeable padding on the back support to allow for a variety of cushioning heights.  
         [0017]     One object of the invention is to provide a new and improved carrier for percussion instruments, e.g., a snare drum, having hardware with a removable back bar, back plate, back member, back members, back support member or back pressure plate.  
         [0018]     Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved carrier for percussion instruments comprising a back support member with adjustable width  
         [0019]     Another object of the invention is to provide adjustment to the back support member where the back support member is attached to adjustable shoulder straps wherein adjustment to the shoulder straps, moves the back support member.  
         [0020]     Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable frictional pivoting mechanism to link the shoulder straps with the back member.  
         [0021]     Another object of the invention is to provide a foldable carrier where the upper portion is an integral part of the shoulder straps.  
         [0022]     Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved carrier for percussion instruments comprising a novel supporting vest of composite material (Fiberglas), rigid removable shoulder straps of light metal, and back member of light metal such as aluminum, magnesium, etc.  
         [0023]     Another object of the invention is to provide a back member that is secured to shoulder straps that are removable and or adjustable to accommodate different sized users. The securing method may be rigidly secured or secured with fasteners that allow the back member to pivot on the shoulder straps. The secured back member may be adjustable for width.  
         [0024]     Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a tubular construction T-bar type carrier for a marching drum assembly with an articulating hinge assembly.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the articulated joint in the hardware shown in  FIG. 1   
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a hinged vest with integrated shoulder straps and a single hinge.  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the vest in  FIG. 3  folded without shoulder straps.  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a vest with a hinge that can be frictionally locked or adjusted in various positions.  
         [0030]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a vest with an alternate frictional hinge mechanism.  
         [0031]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a vest with a hinge mechanism and adjustable height belly plate.  
         [0032]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a T-bar assembly vest with a single hinge and adjustable height belly plate.  
         [0033]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of a vest with an elastomeric hinge mechanism.  
         [0034]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the vest from  FIG. 9  where the two halves of the vest are being connected.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a tubular T-bar-type carrier  10  for percussion instruments that comprises a belly plate  20 , lower and upper vertical supporting rods or tubes  30  and  40 . Lower rod or tube  30  is U-shaped with parallel portions  32  and  34  supporting belly plate  20 . Upper rod or tube  40  is U-shaped with legs  42  and  44  having out-turned portions  45  and  46  supporting rigid shoulder straps  50  and  55  and back bar  70 . Back bar  70  may be removably secured to shoulder straps  50  and  55  or may be fixed as by welding or the like. Shoulder straps  50 ,  55 , and back bar  70  have cushions  60 ,  62  and  64 , respectively. The cushions are of a type used to pad the interior of football and other sports helmets and are shown in more detail in co-issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,257. The cushions have a backing strip of polyvinyl plastic film. A thin sheet of polyvinyl film encloses blocks of closed pore plastic (e.g., polystyrene or polyurethane) foam and is sealed to the backing strip to enclose separate blocks which are separately compressible and provide more comfort to the wearer of the carrier when fully loaded. Belly plate  20  is removably secured on the lower ends  32  and  34  of vertical rod or tube  30  by clamping receptacles  70  and  72 . J-rod receptacles  74  and  76  are secured on belly plate  20  in slots  82  and  80  by screws, bolts, or the like. J-rods  90  are secured in receptacles  74  and  76  by bolts  78 . The upper, out-turned ends  45  and  46  of supporting rod or tube  40  are supported in clamping receptacles  92  and  94  on shoulder straps  50  and  55 . A clamp  100  holds rods or tubes  30  and  40  in an articulated relation to permit angular flexing as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0036]     The materials of construction used in this carrier  10  are very important for achieving the desired result. The belly plate  20 , supporting rods or tubes  30  and  40 , shoulder straps  50  and  55  and back bar  70  are rigid and made of a light metal such as aluminum, magnesium or titanium. The metal shoulder straps have the advantage that different sizes are readily accommodated.  
         [heading-0037]     Operation  
         [0038]     The operation of this carrier should be apparent but will be described briefly for clarity. The carrier  10  is worn by the musician with the shoulder straps  50  and  55  positioned over the shoulders and the belly plate  20  supported against the abdomen. J-rods  90  are inserted in position and secured in place by tightening bolts  78 . The short outer ends of the J-rods  90  are inserted into the J-rod receptacles on the percussion instrument being carried, e.g., drums (single or array), cymbals, xylophone, marimba, or the like.  
         [0039]     The carrier is adjustable to the comfort of the wearer and also to fit different sized instruments. Clamp-receptacles  92  and  94  permit pivotal, lateral and angular adjustment of shoulder straps  50  and  55  on the out-turned ends  45  and  46  of rod or tube  40 . Clamp-receptacles  70  and  72  permit vertical sliding adjustment of rod or tube  30 . Slots  82  and  80  in belly plate  20  allow lateral adjustment of clamp-receptacles  74  and  76  and angular adjustment of J-rods  90  supported therein.  
         [0040]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , there is shown a vest type carrier comprising a chest plate  110  and a belly plate area  120 , and a hinge structure  130 . In  FIG. 3  the vest is shown as a monolithic construction where the shoulder straps are part of the carrier. The shoulder straps are integrated into the upper part of the carrier, but can be integrated as removable shoulder straps where the shoulder straps are integrated into the carrier with hardware such as screws, bolts. In  FIG. 4 , just the vest and hinge components are shown. A variety of shoulder strap and linkage configurations can be added to the chest plate. The shoulder straps can be added to the recessed areas  150 , and connected using a fastener using holes  155 . While this and other figures show a recess for the shoulder connection, the connection of the shoulder straps can be flat with the vest or elevated from the vest.  FIG. 4  shows the vest in a folded configuration. In this configuration, the overall height of the vest in reduced to allow the vest to be transported and stored in a smaller area. The hinge mechanism in this figure is has an upper portion  132  connected to the chest plate portion. The hinge mechanism has a lower portion  134  connected to the lower portion of the vest. The hinge components are attached to the vest portions using a variety of fasteners  140  including screws, rivets, glue, welding, and interference type fasteners. Any type fastener can be used that can retain the hinge to the vest. The upper and lower hinges are connected using a multi-leaved hinge. The halves are attached with fastener  135 . In this embodiment, the fastener threads into the hinge. The square end of the fastener can be adjusted by turning the end of the square head. As the fastener is tightened, the multi-leaves are squeezed together and the hinge tightens. The hinge can be adjusted from loose so the upper and belly plate portions move freely, to tight, where the upper and belly plate portions are rigidly locked in position.  
         [0041]     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6  there is shown two vest type carriers, these vest type carriers comprises a chest plate  210  and a belly plate area  220 , and a hinge structure  230  and  231 .  FIG. 5  shows that a portion of the belly plate or lower member  220  extends up into a section of the chest plate or upper member  230  to indicate that the lower member may not entirely exist below the upper member. In these figure just the vest and hinge components are shown. A variety of shoulder straps and shoulder strap connection fasteners can be added to the chest plate. The shoulder straps can be added to the recessed areas  250 , and connected using a fastener using holes  255 . The hinge mechanism in  FIG. 5  shows a single clamping bolt  260 . The hinge mechanism in  FIG. 6  shows two clamping bolts  262  and  264 . The hinge allows the upper and lower portions to be folded and create a smaller size that can be stored in a smaller are or carried more easily. The hinge in both these figures has an upper and lower portion. In  FIG. 5 , the hinge is attached on the side of the vest that makes contact with the front of the user. In  FIG. 6 , the hinge is attached on the side of the vest that is away from the user. The hinge mechanisms have an upper portion  232  that is connected to the upper portion of the vest. The hinge mechanisms have a lower portion  234  connected to the lower portion of the vest. The hinge components are attached to the vest portions using a variety of fasteners  240  including screws, rivets, glue, welding, and interference type fasteners. Any type fastener can be used that can retain the hinge to the vest. In  FIG. 5 , the hinge has a single pin that is tightened with clamping bolt  260 . In  FIG. 6  two clamping bolts,  262  and  264  are used. In this configuration, one or both adjusting bolt can be tightened or loosened independently. One or both bolts can be loosened such that the two halves can be separated. As the fastener is tightened, the hinge is squeezed together and the hinge tightens. The hinge can be adjusted from loose so the upper and belly plate portions move freely, to tight, where the upper and belly plate portions are rigidly locked in position.  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIG. 7  is a vest type carrier with adjustable height and  FIG. 8 , is a T-bar type carrier with adjustable height belly plate comprising an chest plate  310  and a belly plate area or belly plate  320 , and a hinge structure  330 . In these figures, just the vest and hinge components are shown. A variety of shoulder strap and linkage configurations can be added to the chest plate. The shoulder straps can be added to the recessed areas  350 , and connected using a fastener using holes  355 . The hinge allows the upper and lower portions to be folded and create a smaller size that can be stored in a smaller are or carried more easily. The hinge mechanism in these figures has an upper portion  332  connected to the chest plate or T-Bar portion. The hinge mechanism has a lower or belly plate portion  334  connected to the lower portion of the vest. The hinge components are attached to the vest portions using a variety of fasteners  340  including screws, rivets, glue, welding, and interference type fasteners. Multiple holes are shown located in the lower connecting component  334 . The multiple holes allow the user different height positions to locate the carrier for comfort of the user. Any type fastener can be used that can retain the hinge to the vest. The upper and lower hinges are connected using a multi-leaved hinge. The halves are attached with fastener  336 . In this embodiment, the fastener threads into the hinge. The square end of the fastener can be adjusted by turning the end of the square head. As the fastener is tightened, the multi-leaves are squeezed together and the hinge tightens. The hinge can be adjusted from loose so the upper and belly plate portions move freely, to tight, where the upper and belly plate portions are rigidly locked in position. The height of the arrangement of components can be adjusted by removing the fasteners  340 , moving the lower member  334  into another position and then re-inserting the fasteners  340  in the new position. The horizontal member  370  of the T-bar is perpendicularly attached to the upper hinge member  332  using fastener  340 .  
         [0043]     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , there is shown a vest type carrier that uses an elastomeric hinge mechanism. The elastomeric hinge mechanism is shown in this figure as a vest type carrier, but the carrier can be T-bar or tubular construction. In these figures, just the vest and hinge components are shown. A variety of shoulder strap and linkage configurations can be added to the chest plate. The shoulder straps can be added to carrier using the recessed areas  450 , and connected to the carrier using fasteners placed through holes  410 . The two vest halves are attached using an elastomeric component  480 . The elastomeric joining members include portions  486  attached to the chest plate portion, and portion  488  attached to the belly plate  484  portion. Components  486  and  486  are slid together in track  489 . The two halves can be slid apart for storage or transportation as shown connected in  FIG. 9 , and being slide apart in  FIG. 10 . An optional locking mechanism may be included that can be placed into the parts once they are connected to reduce separation or lateral movement of the upper and lower portions after they are in place. The hinge in this figure can be made from a flexible elastomeric material such as rubber or other material that allows the upper and belly plate portions to flex or move independent of each other. The hinge components may also be made from a more rigid material where a gap exists between components  486  and  484  such that the upper and belly plate portions can rotate independent from each other. An additional fastener can be placed between the elastomeric components that prevent the components from sliding apart once they are in position.  
         [0044]     Various configurations of the vest have been disclosed that show a number of different methods for construction of a instrument carrier with a clamp located in the front of the vest.  
         [0045]     The configuration of the vest has been shown as tubular, vest, and T-bar construction, but any type of vest construction may be utilized provided a front-hinged clamp mechanism is incorporated to allow the upper and lower portions to pivot for movement or folding. The shape or configuration of the vest portion of the carrier can comprise of various shapes and configurations. The figures in this application show a limited variety of these configurations but many other vest type shapes are contemplated that vary from thin straps to full chest coverage.  
         [0046]     The construction of the carrier has been shown with adjustable and or movable shoulder straps, but the shoulder straps can be integrate into the upper portion of the vest as manufactured, welded, bonded, or permanently attached.  
         [0047]     Thus, specific embodiments and applications for single, compound, and elastomeric hinge configurations for percussion instrument carrier have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.