Abstract:
Drum hardware and drum secured thereon are preferably supported on a vest type, T-bar or tubular 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:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   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 and adjustable 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. The articulating hinge assembly allows 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. 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 front portion of the carrier is constructed with an upper and lower portions the separate construction of the two portions allows a shoulder strap toe-in and toe-out adjustment to the shoulder supports. 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 
   The prior art discloses many examples of apparatus for supporting percussion instruments but none providing the combination of features disclosed and claimed herein. 
   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 or articulate, to allow for horizontal positioning of the instruments, or is capable of being folded for easier storage. 
   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 patent uses a fixed chest support that does not articulate, to allow for horizontal positioning of the instruments. The patent also does not allow for folding the carrier for easier storage. 
   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 invention does not allow for horizontal positioning of the instruments. The invention is not capable of being folded for easier storage. 
   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 horizontal positioning of the instruments. 
   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. 
   May U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,290 shows a hinged support for an array of drums. 
   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. 
   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. 
   The prior art discloses many examples of apparatus for supporting percussion instruments but none provide the combination of features that allow for an articulating assembly that allows for positive, negative or neutral horizontal positioning of the instruments. 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 claimed herein. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One of the objects of this invention is to provide a new and improved instrument carrier that provides positive, negative or neutral horizontal positioning to account for the contour of the user&#39;s body and indirect positioning of the musical instrument. 
   Another object of the invention is providing an articulating hinge mechanism that can be adjusted from free movement to a locked orientation, including frictional settings between the two extreme settings. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide an instrument carrier that can be folded to allow for easier transportation, carrying and storage. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide changeable padding on the back support to allow for a variety of cushioning heights. 
   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. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved carrier for percussion instruments comprising a back support member with adjustable width 
   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. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide shoulder width adjustment to account for users of various sizes. The adjustment consists of a toe-in and toe-out adjustment for width. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable frictional pivoting mechanism to link the shoulder straps with the back member. 
   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. 
   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. 
   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 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view if a tubular construction vest for a marching drum assembly with an articulating hinge assembly with toe-in and toe-out adjustment. 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view a vest with compound hinge mechanism shown in a folded orientation. 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a compound adjustable hinge mechanism. 
       FIG. 4  is a detailed isometric exploded view of the components from  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of a compound adjustable hinge mechanism in the vertical orientation. 
       FIG. 6  is a detailed side view of the hinge mechanism from claim  5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of a compound adjustable hinge mechanism in the forward biased orientation. 
       FIG. 8  is a detailed side view of the hinge mechanism from claim  7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of a compound adjustable hinge mechanism in the rearward biased orientation. 
       FIG. 10  is a detailed side view of the hinge mechanism from claim  9 . 
       FIG. 11  is a side view of an articulating hinge mechanism showing pivotal degree of movement. 
       FIG. 12  is an isometric view of another embodiment of a compound hinge mechanism. 
       FIG. 13  is an isometric view of another embodiment of a compound hinge mechanism where the shoulder supports are integrated into the carrier. 
       FIG. 14  is an isometric view of another embodiment of a compound hinge mechanism. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a Tubular type carrier  10  for percussion instruments that comprises a belly plate  30 , with lower support rods  32  and  34 . The figure also has upper body vertical support rods or tubes  42  and  44 . The upper and lower body support rods or tubes are connected to each other with a compound hinge mechanism  300 . The lower rods or tubes  32  and  34  are bent to allow the tubes to connect to the compound hinge in a narrow position, independently spread to parallel portions  36  and  38  where they attach to supporting belly plate  30 . Upper rods or tubes  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  30  is removably secured on the lower ends of tubes or rods  36  and  38  by clamping receptacles  72  and  74 . Clamping mechanisms  72  and  74  consist of a semi-circular receptacle that tubes  36  and  38  fit through. Tightening hardware  78  and  79  clamps the tube or rod to secure them within the receptacle and prevent movement. The receptacles  72  and  74  are secured on belly plate  30 . The receptacles are shown mounted to the belly plate  30 , and the tubes can be re-positioned within the receptacle, but the receptacles can be mounted to slots that allow the locations of the receptacles to be moved. The upper, out-turned ends  45  and  46  of supporting rods or tubes are supported in clamping receptacles  92  and  94  on shoulder straps  50  and  55 . Clamps  92  and  94  hold rods or tubes  45  and  46  on the shoulder supports. Clamping mechanisms  92  and  94  consist of a semi-circular receptacle that tubes  45  and  46  fit through. Tightening hardware  98  and  99  clamps the tube or rod to secure them within the receptacle and prevent movement. 
     FIG. 1  shows the compound hinge  300  locked in a forward position on the tubular construction carrier. The components of the compound hinge are shown and described in more detail in  FIG. 3 to 10 . 
   The materials of construction used in this carrier  10  are very important for achieving the desired result. The belly plate  30 , supporting rods or tubes  32 ,  34 ,  42 , and  44 , 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. 
   Operation 
   The operation of this carrier should be apparent but will be described briefly for clarity. The carrier  10  is worn by a musician with the shoulder straps  50  and  55  positioned over the shoulders. The position of the shoulder straps and the upper portion of the carrier can be adjusted by loosening bolts  98  and  99 . When the bolts are loosened, clamps  92  and  94  open to allow tubes  45  and  46  to slide within the clamps. When the clamps are loose, the position of the clamps on the shoulder straps can also be adjusted. The adjustment of the shoulder straps allows users of different sizes to use the carrier. The width between the shoulder straps can also be adjusted by rotating the tubes  42  and  44  within hinge  300 . When tubes  42  and  44  are rotated the width of the shoulder straps are moved in and out. The rotational adjustment  41  allows the tubes to be toed-in so the width and or the position of the tubes can be adjusted. The toe-in adjustment is mostly used with tubular construction, but a similar adjustment could be made with other types of carrier construction. The belly plate  30  is attached to rods  36  and  38  that are inserted in position and secured in place by tightening bolts  78  and  79 . The short outer ends of the rods are inserted into the receptacles  72  and  74  on the belly plate. When bolts  78  and  79  are loosened, tubes  36  and  38  can be moved to allow positioning of the belly plate on the carrier. This adjustment allows the carrier to accommodate user of various sizes. The belly plate has an additional attachment mechanism  110  for the percussion instrument being carried  120 , e.g., drums (single or array), cymbals, xylophone, marimba, or the like. The attachment mechanism  110  allows height adjustment of the instrument. The height adjustment in this embodiment is independent from the adjustment for the belly plate  30 . 
   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 or rod or tubes  45  and  46 . Clamp-receptacles  74  and  72  permit vertical sliding adjustment of rods or tubes  36  and  38 . Clamping bolt  78  holds tubes or rods  36  and or  38  onto the belly plate. 
     FIG. 2  shows a complete carrier using the compound hinge. In this figure, the shoulder straps  292  and  294  are shown attached to the upper end of tubes  232  and  234 . The tubes are shown clamed to the shoulder supports. The shoulder supports are connected to a back member  296 . The back member may be adjustable for width to allow the carrier to fit a variety of users. The back member may also be removable. The belly plate  290  is shown folded near the shoulder straps. This folded configuration allows a smaller storage size and makes the carrier easier to transport. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 14 , there is shown a compound hinge  300 . The compound hinges allow pivoting on two axes  310  and  320 .  FIG. 3  is a detailed view of the compound hinge mechanism.  FIG. 4  is a detailed view of the compound hinge shaft from  FIG. 3  where some of the parts are shown in exploded view to provide additional details regarding the construction of the compound hinge. The two axes are connected to a tubular construction carrier. Where tubes  332  and  334  are part of the upper portion of the carrier and  342  and  344  are connected to the lower portion of the carrier. Axis  310  and  320  can move rotate freely from each other. The components in each axis consist of central hex shaft  301  and  302  that bolts  303 ,  304 ,  305 , and  306  thread into. A hex shaft is used so the shaft is easier to hold while the adjustment bolts are tightened or loosened. The tubes  332 ,  334 ,  342  and  344  have pivoting members  351  to  554  connected to the ends of the tubes. The pivoting mechanism also includes links  362  and  364 . The bolts  303  to  306  go through connectors  351  to  354 , then through links  362  and  364 , and thread into central hex shafts  301  and  302 . The bolts can be independently tightened or loosened to adjust that amount of movement in each hinge. Refer now to  FIG. 4 , that show details regarding the interface between members  362 ,  352  and members  362 ,  351 . From  FIG. 4 , washers  381  and  382  are shown connected between bolts  304 ,  303  and members  351 ,  362 . These washers are shown here as flat washers, but the washers may be any variety of washers including but not limited to wave washers, compression washers, and fiber washers or may be optionally excluded. The purpose of the washers is to provide a bearing surface for the bolts to rotate upon as they are being tightened. The interface surface between member  362  and members  351  and  352  can be a variety of types. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the interface between the mating bearing surfaces of member  362 ,  364  and members  351 ,  352 ,  353 ,  354  is smooth. In the case of smooth mating surfaces, one or all of bolts  303  to  306  can be loosened to allow the components of the compound hinge to move, rotate freely or provide infinite locking positions. While only two sets of compound hinge components are shown and described, more than two hinges can be utilized in the construction of the carrier. It is also contemplated that an entire carrier could be constructed with hinge components where each hinge can be individually adjusted. If the interface between the member  362  and members  351  and  352  are smooth an infinite number of angular settings can be made and locked with bolts  303  and  304  to fix the angular relationship between the compound hinge components. Using smooth interfacing surfaces, bolts  303  to  306  can be partially tightened to allow various degrees of frictional movement between the compound hinge components, or locked into position or a combination thereof. 
   An alternate embodiment of the mating surfaces of the compound hinge is shown with a ball  391  and hole  392  configurations. In this embodiment, one or more balls or raised areas exist of one member. The ball or raised member is shown here as  391  on item  352 , the hole or recess is shown here as  392  on item  362 . In this embodiment, the members can be locked in 45-degree increments, or in the positions where the ball or raised area falls into the hole or depressed area. In another embodiment of the mating surfaces of the compound hinge is shown as radial lands and groves as identified as items  395  and  396 . In this embodiment four, eight or more radial lands and groves exist on the mating members  352  and  362 . In this embodiment, the members can be locked in 45-degree increments, but can be manufactured with any number of increments, or positions where a land in one component falls into a groove in the mating component. In the previous described embodiment the angle between the members is adjusted by loosening bolts  303  to  306  rotating the members into position and tightening bolts  303  to  306 . Three different types of mating surfaces have been described, but other types can be utilized that allow the hinge components to move and or lock in various positions. 
     FIGS. 5 to 10  show the articulating or compound hinge in a variety of locked configurations.  FIG. 6  shows the compound hinge in a vertical orientation where axis  410  and  420  are in vertical alignment with each other.  FIG. 5  shows how this arrangement would appear when used to support a shoulder mounted carrier with a drum.  FIG. 8  shows the compound hinge in a forward biased orientation where axis  420  is forward of axis  410  when viewed from a person wearing the drum mounted carrier shown in  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 7  shows how this arrangement would appear when used to support a shoulder mounted carrier with a drum. This configuration would be useful if the carrier needs forward adjustment due to the physical characteristics of the person wearing the carrier.  FIG. 10  shows the compound hinge in a back biased orientation where axis  420  is behind axis  410  when viewed from a person wearing the drum-mounted carrier shown in  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 9  shows how this arrangement would appear when used to support a shoulder mounted carrier with a drum. This configuration would be useful if the carrier needs rearward adjustment due to the physical characteristics of the person wearing the carrier. 
     FIGS. 5 to 10  have shown various orientation of the compound hinge. An infinite number of orientations are possible where the hinges can be located in positions other than orthogonal orientations. It is also contemplated that only one axis be fixed and the second axis can freely rotate.  FIG. 11  show an orientation where one axis is locked and the second axis can rotate. This figure shows motion  570  where the drum can swing with only one axis fixed. A frictional member such as a bearing, felt, washer, wave washer or other spacer material may be used between the joined hinge members to provide some resistance to rotation or pivoting. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 12 to 14 , there is shown three variations on articulating vest type carriers with a variety of compound hinge designs that are contemplated. These figures show variation of compound hinge configurations that perform similar pivoting functions. In these figures, the belly plate  620 , or lower component, is shown with hinge connection  685  to the upper component shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13  as a chest plate  610 , and in  FIG. 13  as a combination chest plate and shoulder support. 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  650 , and connected using a fastener using holes  655 . 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 raised from the vest. In  FIG. 12 , the compound hinge mechanism includes horizontal hex members  632  that are not present in  FIG. 13 . The horizontal members  632  help maintain the chest plate and belly plate in a parallel orientation. The clamping member(s)  680  can be loosened to allow vertical separation adjustment between the chest and belly plates. The tension bolts  685  can be adjusted to allow free, frictional or locked movement to each hinge independently.  FIG. 13  also shows integrated shoulder members  675  that are part of the upper chest component  610 . 
     FIG. 14  shows a similar embodiment for a single vertical articulating hinge. This configuration allows vertical separation adjustment between the chest and belly plates using clamping members  680 . One of the clamping members  680  may also be adjusted to allow for twist between the chest plate and the belly plate. The tension bolts  685  can be adjusted to allow free, frictional or locked movement to each hinge independently. 
   Various configurations of the carriers have been disclosed that show a number of different methods for construction of an instrument carrier with a clamp located in the carrier. The configuration of the carrier has been shown as tubular and vest construction, but any type of carrier construction may be utilized provided a front articulating hinge mechanism is incorporated that allows the upper and lower portions to pivot for movement or folding. 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 carrier as manufactured, welded, bonded, or permanently attached. Other configurations of the compound hinge may include more than two hinged links. In an extreme configuration, the carrier can be made entirely of hinged links so each section can be individually adjusted and set. 
   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.