Instrument carrier with auto-release articulating back brace

A shoulder supported carrier structure has an articulable back brace with an auto-release feature. The auto-release feature allows for the back brace to translate towards/away from shoulder supports of the carrier structure so as to permit better positioning of the carrier structure on a user, as well as easier mounting and removal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates to a shoulder mounted percussion instrument carrier for one or more drums or other equipment. In particular, the disclosure relates to shoulder mounted carriers having articulating back supports. More particularly, the disclosure relates to structures and methods by which the mounting, positioning and release of such articulating back supports with respect to a user are improved.

The prior art discloses examples of carriers supporting one or more drums or equipment items (e.g., cameras).

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.

Hsieh U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,610 shows a carrier for percussion instruments having a “T” bar, a pair of shoulder bars, and a belly plate. The shoulder bars are bolted on a lateral plate of the “T” bar. The lateral plate has arc-like slots and spaced semi-circular holes permit bolts to slide in the slots. The fastening end of each shoulder bar has a hole and an arc-like slot from the upper portion to the lower portion permitting angular adjustment of the shoulder rightward or leftward for various applications.

La Flame U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,032 shows a carrier for various instruments such as marching bells, a marching xylophone or a marching marimba, which are supported on the apparatus by the use of suitably-constructed extension arms. The carrier frame is a U-shaped bent bar welded or otherwise attached to a belly plate and has extension arms, which project from the belly plate to engage and support the instrument.

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, 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, 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 a reactive force to the overhung weight of the instrument about the aforesaid means forming a fulcrum area of contact with the person.

The inventor has been issued several patents and has filed several patent applications covering other such carriers, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,691,492, 6,028,257, 6,323,407, 6,329,583, 6,172,290, 6,403,869, 6,770,805, 6,881,886, 7,071,401, and U.S. published applications US2005/0040,193, US2006/0096,443, US2005/0103,183 and US2005/0183,565. None of these patents or patent applications disclose the carrier structure described herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the shoulder mounted apparatus to provide a carrier that allows a user to carry and use equipment or play drums while they transport the equipment or drums such as when they are walking, marching, rapidly moving and at times running. The mounting allows for the equipment or drum(s) to be maintained in a horizontal or rotated vertical orientation where a camera or drumheads are oriented in a horizontal configuration allowing the equipment or drum to be used or played.

It is another object of the carrier to include a connecting member that spans between the shoulder supporting members behind the user or performer. The connecting member is joined to an arm that is connected to a back member that allows the back member to pivot and translate relative to the two shoulder supporting members to allow the back member to align with a back of a user. The connecting member may be joined to the one arm with a frictional connection. The arm may be connected to the back member with a frictional connection. The back member at least partially contours to the shape of the back and may further include an inflatable cushioning bladder and is positioned between and under or evades the shoulder blades of the user to increase arm mobility.

It is still another object of the carrier to integrate the two sets of dovetailed sliders is a parallel arrangement to allow the drums to be easily raised and lower on the carrier in a linear sliding arrangement

It is still another object of the carrier to utilize a slotted connection between the carrier and the back member that allows the back member to slide on the carrier to allow a performer to easily lift the carrier over their head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above described drawing figures illustrate the described invention and method of use in at least one embodiment, which is further defined in detail in the following description. Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to make alterations and modifications to what is described herein without departing from its spirit and scope. While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail at least one embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the at least one embodiment illustrated. Therefore, it should be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only for the purposes of example and should not be taken as a limitation on the scope of the present apparatus and its method of use.

FIG. 1is an isometric view of an instrument carrier202with a bass drum100attached. The carrier202is shown as an instrument carrier of tubular construction. In a preferred embodiment, the carrier202is of tubular construction, but the carrier202can be a type of T-bar, vest, a combination of the types listed above or another configuration that is capable of retaining the mounting components to retain the bass drum100. The carrier202may include shoulder straps210. The shoulder straps210may have padding212placed in the area that makes contact with the shoulders of a user. The padding212provides a cushioning of the shoulder straps to improve the comfort when a user (or performer) is using the carrier202with the bass drum100. The shoulder straps210may be adjustable and/or removable to better fit the size of the user. The carrier202may have a back member220attached to the free ends of the carrier202. The back member220may be adjustable and/or removably attachable to the carrier202. The back member220may also have padding222attached to the side of the back member220that makes contact with the user. The shoulder straps210may attach to the front portion of the carrier202. The front of the carrier202extends down in front of the user and connects to a belly plate230. The belly plate230curves slightly to wrap around the frontal area of the user and provide a greater contact area. The side of the belly plate230that makes contact with the user may also be padded to provide comfort to the user. In the area where the shoulder straps210connect to the front of the carrier202, a connection device may be provided for attachment of the bass drum100. This is best viewed inFIG. 2that shows an exploded view of the carrier202and attachment components.

InFIG. 2, the carrier202is shown as a complete assembly with the belly plate230not being connected to the carrier202. The belly plate230is not attached in this figure to show that the belly plate230can be adjusted up or down to accommodate users of different sizes. In a preferred embodiment, at least one attachment mechanism such as a J-bolt or a similarly shaped device224,226is provided. The length of the J-bolts224,226can be varied by replacing the J-bolts224,226with longer or shorter J-bolts or by threading the J-bolts224,226into the carrier202to different depths. It is further contemplated that J-bolts of different lengths can be used to tip the drum to one side or the other to accommodate the preference of the user. The belly plate230can also be replaced with a belly plate of different size and/or shape to accommodate the different sizes of users. In a preferred embodiment, the belly plate230is attached to the carrier202of tubular construction using a fastening means such as a threaded fastener. The threaded fastener attaches the belly plate230to the carrier202through holes or slots located in the tubes240,242of the carrier202. If the attachment of the belly plate230is via holes, the belly plate230can be adjustably positioned in finite increments where the holes are located on the tubes240,242. If the attachment of the belly plate230is via slots, the belly plate230can be loosened on the tubes240,242and slid into an infinite number of positions to accommodate users of various sizes. On the opposite side of the tubes240,242of the carrier202, a lift base250forms a bridge between the tubes240and242of the carrier202. The lift base250has two semi-circular openings on each end where the tubes240,242of the carrier202pass through. The lift base250is attached to the tubes240,242of the carrier202using a threaded fastener254that clamps the lift base250onto the tube(s)240,242. The lift base250can slide on the tubes240,242of the carrier202to locate or position the lift base250on the carrier202.

A tube260slides into the center portion of the lift base250. Two slots run lengthwise down the sides of the tube260. These slots provide a guide and a retaining mechanism for the tube260on the lift base250. The tube260can slide and be locked into a position on the lift base250using a fastening means such as a threaded fastener258. A bass drum support slider270is also attached to and slides in the slots that exist on the side of tube260. The bass drum support slider270can be moved on the tube260, and locked into a fixed position on the tube260using a fastening means such as a threaded fastener272. The bass drum support slider270can be placed onto the tube260in either orientation based upon where the user wants to orient the remaining pieces of the bass drum support, and where the user wants to position the bass drum100. A horn-shaped member280attaches to the bass drum support slider270using a fastening means such as a bolt282and a nut283. Such a fastening means allows the two members270,280to pivot relative to each other and also be locked into a position by tightening the nut283onto the bolt282.

The horn-shaped member280can be rotatably adjusted relative to the bass drum support slider270. Based upon the location of the bass drum support slider270, and the location of the bass drum100, the angular relationship between the horn-shaped member280and the bass drum support slider270is established. At the opposite end of the horn-shaped member280, a drum support member290is provided to support the bass drum100. The horn-shaped member280and the drum support member290are connected via a fastening means such as a bolt284and a nut285. Such a fastening means allows the two members280,290to pivot relative to each other and also be locked into a position by tightening the nut285onto the bolt284.

On the flat portion of the drum support member290, a pad or cushion can be attached to reduce movement and damage to the bass drum100. This provides a cushion to the bass drum100if it moves up or down as the user is walking, marching or moving.

The primary function of components250,260,270,280,290is to provide vertical and horizontal positioning of the bass drum100. This positioning allows the bass drum100to be moved up, down, closer and further away from the user. This allows the bass drum100to be positioned in various locations and/or orientations for the comfort of the user. These components250,260,270,280,290may provide a single contact point for the bass drum100. This single contact point is one of three points that make contact with and/or secure the bass drum100to the carrier202. Two remaining contact points are J-bolts224and226.

The bass drum100has two eyebolts attached through the shell of the bass drum100. The bass drum100is attached to the J-bolts224,226of the carrier202by positioning the eyebolts over the J-bolts224,226, and “hooking” the eyebolts onto the J-bolts224,226. Once hooked together, the bass drum100is rotated down until it comes in contact with the pad on the drum support member290. The user can slide and position components250,260,270,280,290to locate the bass drum100in the playing position that the user prefers.

FIG. 3shows a view of the drum tracking system for use with a single drum11. This figure shows a tubular type carrier10that is similar in construction to the carrier202for percussion instruments shown and described inFIG. 1. The carrier10has an abdomen plate30, with lower body support rods32,34. The carrier10also has upper body support rods or tubes42,44. The upper and lower body support rods or tubes are connected to each other with a retainer that keeps the tubes in a parallel relationship.

The lower body support rods or tubes32,34independently spread to parallel portions36,38where they attach to the supporting abdomen plate30. The upper body support rods or tubes42,44having out-turned portions45,46supporting rigid shoulder straps50,55and a back bar70. The back bar70may be removably secured to the shoulder straps50,55or may be fixedly attached by welding or the like. The shoulder straps50,55and back bar70may have cushions60,62and64. The cushions60,62and64may be of a type used to pad the interior of football and other sports helmets and are shown in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,257. The cushions60,62and64may 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.

The abdomen plate30is secured to a bridge support member78with a pivot that extends through ears on the abdomen plate30. The placement of the pivot through the center of the bridge support member78allows the abdomen plate30to rotate by a limited amount on the pivot(s). The pivoting allows the abdomen plate30to move with the user without significantly altering the position of the carrier10on the user. The pivots can be tightened slightly to provide frictional or limited pivoting as well as loosened to allow for free pivoting. It is also contemplated that the abdomen plate30is removably secured to the carrier10.

Clamping receptacles92,94may be semi-circular receptacles through which the out-turned portions45,46fit. Tightening means98,99clamp the tubes or rods to secure them within the receptacles92,94and prevent movement41. Clamping receptacles82,83are mounted to the abdomen plate30, and the tubes32,34can be re-positioned within the receptacles82,83. The upper, out-turned portions45,46of the upper body support rods42,44are supported in the clamping receptacles92and94on the shoulder straps50and55. A single tube or shaft260may be used to connect the carrier10with the single drum11through a sliding cradle84.

The sliding cradle84connects to the single tube or shaft260with dovetail grooves. A second set of dovetail grooves exist on the bridge support member78. The bridge support member78has male dovetail grooves that mate with the female dovetail groves in the single tube or shaft260. A similar set of male dovetail features exist on the sliding cradle84. These dovetail features are arranged to allow the sliding cradle84to slide past the bridge support member78. The sliding cradle84has a recessed cradle87for connection with hinge pins15of the single drum11. The hinge pin15is secured to the single drum11with a rotation hinge plate. The rotation hinge plate and its connection to the single drum11is shown and described in more detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,691,492 and 7,326,842, and U.S. Published Application 2009/0045235.

While the embodiment shown inFIG. 3illustrates a single drum tracking system, the drum tracking system of the present invention is not limited to such a single drum tracking system. In an alternate embodiment, the drum tracking system may be, e.g., a dual tracking system or a multi-tracking system for one or an array of drums of various sizes without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 4shows a rear view of a conforming and articulating back member assembly20. The view of the articulating back member17is shown mounted on a user (or performer) where the shoulder supports or shoulder straps12extend over the shoulders of the user. The shoulder straps12may attach to the front portion of a carrier300, which extends down in front of the user and connects to a belly plate, as described above in reference toFIGS. 2 and 3. The end of the shoulder straps12are connected using a fastening means such as bolts121,122to extenders18,19. The extender18,19allow for adjustment of the length of the shoulder supports or shoulder straps12down the back of the user. Slots or multiple holes may be used to extend the length of the shoulder straps12. The extenders18,19are connected using a fastening means such as bolts123,124to a horizontal connecting member111that connects the two shoulder members12and creates a pivoting axis142that allows a back member (or back plate)17to swing into the user on an arm114. The bolts123,124can be loosened and repositioned or slid in holes or slots in the horizontal connecting member111to change the width and or angle of the shoulder straps12.

A fastening means such as bolts115secures the arm114around the horizontal connecting member111. The bolts115can be adjustable to change the frictional resistance for pivotal movement about the pivotal axis142. The arm114pivots about the axis142on one end with the horizontal connecting member111and on the other end about an axis141where the arm114is secured, via a fastening means113, to a bracket112that is connected to the back member17. The arrangement of the pivoting axes141,142allows the back member17to move towards143and away from the back of the user to provide an even pressure on the back of the user to more evenly distribute loads that push into the back of the user. The shape of the back member17may be contoured to bridge between the shoulder blades thereby reducing restriction of arm movement.

FIG. 5shows a top view looking down from the top of the instrument carrier300onto the conforming and articulating back member assembly20. In this figure, portions of the upper body supporting rods42,44are shown as they extend over the shoulder where pads27cushion the apex of the shoulders of the user. It is further contemplated that a pivotable connection can exist near the apex of the shoulder pads27. The head of the performer passes through the open area between the shoulder pads27. Referring toFIGS. 4 and 5, the shoulder straps12is connected with tube clamps93which are connected to the horizontal connecting member111. The position of the back member17can be adjusted by changing the position of the tube clamps93on the tubes. The pivot arm114connects to mounting bracket112and into the back member17. Pad16is shown attached to the back member17. The pad16provides a cushion and/or more evenly distributes the load of the back member onto the user's back. It is also contemplated that the rods42,44can be broken and hinged at a point near or a distance from the apex of the shoulders to allow the distance between the front of the carrier300and the back member17to be adjusted.

FIG. 6shows a rear view of the conforming and articulating back member assembly as a contemplated variation of the embodiment shown inFIG. 4. In particular, in this embodiment, the articulating back member assembly20′ has a sliding quick release feature with the back member17in a bottom position. The back member17is secured to a spine130where the spine130has a slot131. The slot131allows the back member17to slide139on the shaft of the bolt113. The slot131allows the back member17to slide up139and down138on the bolt113.FIG. 7shows the embodiment fromFIG. 6with the back member17in a top position.

When a user places the carrier300′ over his or her head, the back member17will slide to the upper position (as shown inFIG. 7) to pivot over the head. As the carrier300′ fits over the shoulders, the back member17will slide down into the lower position (as shown inFIG. 6) to align with the back of the user. Upon removal of the carrier300′, the back member17is free to pivot141to clear the back and head of the user as the carrier is lifted over the user's head. The locking screw132can set the position142of the arm114.

FIG. 8is a plan view of a pivoting connection member150andFIG. 9shows the pivoting connection member150with the lower twist member152rotated. The upper portion of an upper twist member151has a hole154that secures a rod158(shown inFIG. 10) to adjust a distance between the upper and lower twist members151,152. The lower twist member152is secured with a fastening means such as a bolt155. A rotating joint153allows the lower twist member152to turn160on the pivoting connection member150. The lower twist member152has a split opening157to provide clearance for the spine130(shown inFIGS. 6, 7, 10). Another fastener secures the lower twist member152through opening156and through the slot131.

FIG. 10shows a rear view of another contemplated embodiment of the articulating back member assembly20″ with a sliding quick release feature with the back member17in a bottom position in a turned orientation. In this embodiment, the back member17is secured to a spine130where the spine130has a slot131. The slot131allows the back member17to slide139on the shaft of bolt113. The slot131allows the back member17to slide on the bolt113. A rod158to adjust a distance between the upper twist member151and the lower twist member152. The clearance slot157allows the spine130to move and swing. The upper twist member151is secured to the carrier with a fastener159. The upper twist member151is secured, via additional fasteners123,124, to the shoulder supports. The lower twist member152rotates or turns on the upper twist member151to allow the back member17to swing around the head and back of the user.

When a user places the carrier over his or her head, the back member17will rotate and slide to the upper position to pivot over the head. As the carrier fits over the shoulders, the back member17will slide down into the lower position to align with the back of the user. Upon removal of the carrier, the back member17is free to pivot to clear the back and head of the user as the carrier is lifted over the user's head. Once the back member17slides into the upper position, rotation is minimized.

FIGS. 11A-Cillustrate exploded views according to several embodiments of the described invention, as applied to various carrier designs. Applicant submits the following explanations of the various acronyms in the figures—to be considered in light of the above more detailed descriptions of features and elements:ABSR/ABSL: shoulder supports (right/left, respectively).ABS: articulating back member.ABSB: articulating back member fastener bolts.ARS: auto-release slider, which accepts the ABHB therewithin so as to permit the ABHB to slide within and thereby permit repositioning of the ABSR/ABSL over the user's head for mount and dismount of the carrier.AA-AR: articulating arm.ABHB: articulating back hinge bolt, which is positioned through the ARS so as to slide with respect thereto and thereby reposition ABSR/ABSR over the user's head for mount and dismount of the carrier.ABAR/ABAL: articulating back axle (right/left, respectively)ABT: articulating back T-bolt, which locks the desired degree of rotation with the AA-AR.ABAB: bolts fastening ABAR and ABAL together.AB1: fasteners connecting the complete ABS to the AB SR/ABSL.

FIGS. 12A-Billustrate at least one embodiment in which a magnet coupling200is formed between a spine magnet200A and an arm magnet200B. As illustrated inFIG. 12A, the arm magnet200B is located at a distal end of the arm114, proximal to the bolt113that slides with respect to the slot131(see e.g.,FIG. 10). The spine magnet200A is located at a distal end of the spine130, proximal to the distal end of the slot131. Thus, the arm magnet200B and the spine magnet200A are configured to come into proximity to each other when the back member17is in a raised attitude (or raised position). As discussed above, the back member17is configured, via the bolt113and slot131configuration, to be pivotable about the bolt113. Thus, the arm magnet200B and the spine magnet200A are further configured, as a result of such pivoting while the back member17is in the raised attitude, to come into magnetic contact with each other—thereby forming the magnetic coupling, which holds the back member17in the pivoted and raised attitude.

FIGS. 13A-Dillustrate further views of the at least one embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 12A-B. While specific elements are not numerically called out in particular, corresponding elements in previously described embodiments will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the figures alone.

FIGS. 14A-Dillustrate an exemplary method for operating at least one embodiment of the articulating back member having the feature of the magnetic coupling200discussed above. At step2200shown inFIG. 14A, a user positions the spine and arm magnets200A,200B into magnetic contact with each other to form the magnetic coupling200such that the back member17is held in the pivoted and raised attitude.

At step2400shown inFIG. 14B, the user begins to bring the shoulder straps (or shoulder supports) of the carrier to rest on his or her shoulders by raising the shoulder straps to be positioned over his or her head. The back member17, at the same time, is positioned to come into contact with the user at the upper shoulder area and thereby disengage the magnetic coupling200, allowing the back member17to slide with respect to the shoulder straps via the slot131and bolt113arrangement.

At step2600shown inFIG. 14C, the shoulder straps are positioned over the shoulders of the user, and the back member17is positioned against the upper back of the user in a lowered attitude with respect to the shoulder straps.

At step2800shown inFIG. 14D, the user lowers the shoulder straps to rest on his or her shoulders. The back member17at the same time slides, via the slot131and bolt113arrangement, with respect to the shoulder straps and thereby remains substantially in place with respect to the user's upper back.

The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements described and its various embodiments or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.

The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that the named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter is what is intended to be patented.