Device and system for supporting drums and other percussion musical instruments

A device and system for mounting and supporting drums, percussion instruments and other apparatus (e.g., microphones) during musical performances. The device generally comprises a rack upon which drums, instruments and other apparatus may be mounted. The rack may incorporate first and second parallel bar members disposed in a horizontal plane such that the drums, percussion instruments and other apparatus may be mounted concommitantly to said first and second parallel bar members. The rack may also incorporate means for attaching said rack to the top of a bass drum such that the bass drum will act as a vertical support leg to support at least a portion of the rack a fixed distance above an underlying floor. Attachment brackets are mountable on the rack devices of the present invention to facilitate attachment of drums, instruments and/or apparatus thereto. There is also provided a drummer's seat connectable to a rack device, such as the rack devices of the present invention, to minimize movement of the rack device and/or bass drum during performance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to devices for positioning and 
holding musical instruments and, more particularly, to a support rack and 
system for holding a plurality of percussion instruments, such as drums. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Drum sets utilized in musical performance typically comprise a plurality of 
different sizes and types of drums and other percussion instruments (e.g., 
cymbals, pads, cow bells, guiro, etc.) positioned about a central point 
such that each is accessible to the drummer who is typically seated on a 
stool. 
Each drum set typically incorporates a relatively large bass drum. The bass 
drum is generally positioned in front of the drum set and is provided with 
a foot pedal whereby the drummer may utilize his/her foot to effect 
percussion of the bass drum. The remaining drums of the drum set are then 
mounted on top of, and/or on either side of the bass drum and/or 
positioned on either side of the centrally-positioned bass drum. 
In some drum sets of the prior art, each separate drum or percussion 
instrument is :supported by a separate stand having a plurality of feet or 
tripod-like structure. The utilization of such individual stands or 
holders for each drum, or instrument, can result in a rather crowded, 
cluttered appearance due to the confined area in which such stand or 
holders are positioned. In an effort to eliminate the crowding and clutter 
created by the use of individual stands or holders for each drum 
instrument, some drummers have undertaken to utilize a unitary drum rack 
whereby each individual drum or percussion instrument is mounted upon a 
unitary rack-like structure. Examples of commercially available drum racks 
include Gibraltar Racks (Kaman Music Corp., P.O. Box 507, Bloomfield, 
Conn. 06002) and the Collarlock Bar System (Drum Workshop, Inc., 101 
Bernoulli Circle, Dept. H, Oxnard, Calif. 93030). 
Although the prior art has included a number of drum racks, there remains a 
need in the art for improved drum mounting racks whereby individual drums 
and/or percussion instruments may be firmly held in convenient positions, 
with minimal cross vibration and optimal musical or acoustical qualities 
of the sound produced thereby. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention comprises a device for mounting drums, percussion 
instruments (e.g., cymbals, cow bells, pads, guiro, etc. . . . ), or other 
apparatus (e.g., microphones), in desired positions so as to be readily 
accessible to and useable by a drummer during a musical performance. 
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a rack for supporting 
drums, percussion instruments or other apparatus, said device comprising 
at least one horizontal rail member having first and second ends. Vertical 
leg members extend downwardly from the first and second ends of said 
horizontal rail member and a bass drum attachment apparatus is positioned 
on said horizontal rail member, between the first and second ends thereof. 
Said bass drum attachment apparatus is connectable on top of an 
under-positioned bass drum such that said bass drum will combine with said 
vertical leg members to support said at least one rail member in a 
substantially horizontal plane a fixed distance above an underlying floor. 
Further in accordance with the invention, there is provided a rack device 
for holding and supporting drums, percussion instruments and other 
apparatus said rack device having a first rail member and a second rail 
member disposed, parallel to one another, in a generally horizontal plane. 
Various drums, instruments, and/or other apparatus are concommitantly 
attachable to both said first and second rail members by way of any 
appropriate mounting bracket(s) or clamping means. 
Still further in accordance with the present invention, there are provided 
specific mounting brackets for mounting drums, percussion instruments or 
other apparatus to a drum rack, such as the rack device of the present 
invention, having first and second parallel horizontal rail members. The 
mounting brackets of the present invention may incorporate vibration 
damping or padding material to minimize cross-transmission of vibrational 
energy among the various drums, instruments and/or apparatus mounted on 
the rack device of the present invention. 
Still further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a 
drummer's seat, such as a stool, having connector members, brackets or 
other linkages for connecting said drummer's seat to a drum rack, such as 
the drum rack of the present invention. The interconnection between the 
drummer's seat and the drum rack serves to minimize or deter movement of 
the drum rack and/or bass drum during operation. 
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to 
those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding of the following 
detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The following description and the accompanying drawings are provided for 
purposes of describing and illustrating a presently preferred embodiment 
of the invention only. The following description and accompanying drawings 
are not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. 
FIGS. 1-3 show a presently preferred embodiment of a drum support rack 
device of the present invention. 
The device 10 comprises a first bar or rail member 12 and a second bar or 
rail member 14 positioned parallel to one another and disposed in a 
generally horizontal plane a spaced distance D above an underlying support 
surface or floor. A plurality of linking members 16 are affixed to and 
traverse between the first bar member 12 and second bar member 14 to hold 
the first bar member 12 and second bar member 14 in fixed parallel-spaced 
relation to one another. Linking members 16 are also configured and 
positioned to prevent torsional movement of the first and second bar 
members 14, 16 relative to one another. 
In the embodiment shown, the first and second bar members 12, 14 are of 
generally arcuate configuration having coterminal first ends FE and 
coterminal second ends SE. 
The first ends FE of the first and second bar members 12, 14 are affixed 
adjacent the upper end of first vertical support member 18. The second 
ends SE of the first and second bar members 12, 14 are affixed adjacent 
the upper end of second vertical support member 20. 
The bottom ends of the first and second vertical support members 18, 20 are 
attached to the corresponding ends of a basal cross-member 22. The basal 
cross-member 22 is traverses between the vertical support members 18, 20 
and is substantially perpendicular thereto. 
A first diagonal brace member 24 is attached to and extends between the 
first vertical support member 18 and the basal cross member 22. Similarly, 
a second diagonal brace member 25 is attached to and extends between the 
second vertical support member 20 and the basal cross-member 22. 
As shown in the detailed view of FIG. 5, a bass drum mounting fixture 26 is 
attached to, formed or incorporated on the frontal region of the device 10 
to effect attachment of the first and second bar members 12, 14 to a bass 
drum 30. As such, the bass drum 30 actually forms a frontal support member 
or leg whereby the frontal portion of the device 10 is supported a fixed 
distance D above the underlying floor or support surface. As such, the 
base drum 30 acts in combination with the vertical support members 18, 20 
to support the first and second rail members 12, 14 in a substantially 
horizontal plane, a desired distance D above the floor or support surface. 
As shown in FIG. 3, the device 10 of the present invention may be formed in 
a plurality of segments so that the device 10 may be disassembled for easy 
transportation and/or storage. As shown, the arcuate first and second rail 
men%hers 12, 14 are separable from the centrally positioned bass drum 
mounting fixture 26 and the first and second vertical support members 18, 
20. Also, the basal cross-member 22 is severable into three separate 
segments as shown. As such, the device 10 shown in FIG. 3 may be 
disassembled into six (6) separate sections for ease of transportation 
and/or storage. 
It is preferable that the individual segments of the device can be easily 
assembled and disassembled. In the embodiment shown, dowel members 74 are 
utilized to form secure linkages between individual segments of the device 
10. In accordance with FIG. 4, each dowel member 74 comprises a generally 
rod-shaped member inserted into and protruding from a segment of the first 
14 or second 16 bar member. Apertures are formed in the adjacent tubular 
segments of bar members 14, 16 so as to align with the corresponding 
aperture 76 of each insert member 40. Screws, pins or other connector 
member may then be inserted through apertures 48, 50, and through the 
correspondingly aligned apertures of the tubular portions of device 10, so 
as to securely interconnect the individual segments of device 10 during 
assembly thereof. 
One embodiment of a bass drum mounting fixture 26 of the device 10 is 
preferably constructed and connected in the manner shown in FIG. 5. The 
bass drum mounting fixture 26 comprises first and second rail member 
segments 12C, 14C which align with and connect to the adjacent first and 
second rail member segments 12A, 12B, 14A, 14B. A vertical member 52 is 
affixed to first and second rail segments 12C, 14C by way of angular 
members 54, 56. A sleeve member 58 having a hollow bore 60 is attached to 
the top end of vertical member 52 the hollow bore 60 of sleeve member 58 
serves to receive and hold a corresponding dowel insert member affixed to 
one or more drums or percussion instruments to be mounted thereon. 
A foot member 62 having a bottom plate 64 is connected to the bottom end of 
vertical member 52. A receiving track 66 is affixed to the top surface of 
bass drum 30. Receiving track 66 is configured relative to foot member 62 
such that the bottom plate 64 of foot member 62 may be inserted into track 
68 of track member 66. A set screw 70 extends downwardly through the 
underside of plate member 64 such that, downward tightening of set screw 
71 will serve to lift and tighten plate member 64 within track 68, thereby 
frictionally retaining the drum connector apparatus 26 within the 
receiving track 66 mounted on top of the bass drum 30. 
To facilitate connection of the bass drum mounting fixture 26 to the 
adjacent segments of the first and second rail members 12A, 12B, 14A, 14B, 
dowel inserts 74A, 74B may be partially inserted into and affixed to the 
inner bore of adjacent first and second rail member segments 12A, 12B, 
14A, 14B. Apertures 76 extend through dowel segments 74. Corresponding 
apertures 78 are formed in the side walls of first and second tubing 
segments 12C, 14C of drum mounting fixture 26. Dowel member 74 may then be 
inserted into the hollow bores of the adjacent ends of first and second 
rail member segments 12C, 14C such that apertures 76 are in alignment with 
corresponding rail member apertures 78. Thereafter, screws 70 and nuts 72 
or any other suitable fixation members may be inserted through apertures 
76 and 78 to accomplish secure interconnection of the bass drum attachment 
fixture 26 to the remainder of the device 10. 
An alternative bass drum mounting fixture 26A is shown in FIG. 5A. 
Referring particularly to FIG. 5A, there is shown a bass drum mounting 
fixture 26A. As shown in FIG. 5A, the alternative bass drum mounting 
fixture 26A is attached to, formed or incorporated on the frontal region 
of the device 10 to effect attachment of the first and second bar members 
12, 14 to a bass drum 30. The alternative bass drum mounting fixture 26A 
comprises a vertical member 52A and affixed at the bottom end thereto a 
foot member 62A having a bottom plate 64A. As shown in FIG. 5, a receiving 
track 66 is configured relative to foot member 62A such that the bottom 
plate 64A of foot member 62A may be inserted into the track 68 of the 
track member 66. 
A sleeve member 58A having a hollow bore 60A is attached to the top end of 
vertical member 52A and the hollow bore 60A of the sleeve member 58A 
serves to receive and hold a corresponding dowel insert member affixed to 
one or more drums or percussion instruments to be mounted thereon. 
To facilitate connection of the alternative bass drum mounting fixture 26A 
to the adjacent segment 12A, 12B, 14A, 14B linking plates 152A and 152B 
are affixed to and traverse between the first bar member 12 and second bar 
member 14 to hold the first bar member 12 and second bar member 14 in a 
fixed parallel-space relation to one another, while additionally providing 
mounting flanges 154A and 154B. Bushings 156A, 158A ,156B, 158B are 
positioned with apertures formed in flange 154A and 154B, as shown. An 
additional aperture 157 is formed in each flange 154A, 154B to receive 
fixation bolts as described hereinafter. Such aforementioned bushings are 
positioned in the mounting flange 154 so as to be in alignment with 
corresponding apertures formed in the mounting plate 150. 
The mounting plate 150 is affixed to the frontal portion of the vertical 
member 52A by a pair of gusset plates identified as 160A and 160B. The 
gusset plates are secured perpendicularly to the rear of the mounting 
plate 50 wherein the inner surface 162A and 162B of the gusset plates 160A 
and 160B are spaced a distance equal to the exterior diameter of the 
vertical member 52A. The interior surface 162A and 162B engage the 
exterior vertical member 52A and is connected to the vertical member 52A 
by conventional spot welding means or other equivalent means for affixing 
the same thereto. 
Face plate 150 includes pins 170A and B and 172A and B. The pins are 
positioned within the face plate 150 so as to be in substantial alignment 
with the apertures of 156A, 158A, 156B, and 158B when the mounting flange 
154A and B is juxtapositioned and abutted to the front of the mounting 
plate 150. Face plate 150 additionally includes apertures 157. Apertures 
157 centered between pins 170A, 170B and 172A, 172B respectively. The 
apertures 157 align to receive threaded connector 1774 secured by a 
threaded knob-like connector 178, as shown in FIG. 5B. The alternate base 
drum mounting fixture 26A facilitates easy assembly and disassembly of the 
device 10. The face plate 150 and associated structure additionally 
provides mechanical load distribution from 12A and 14A to 12B to 14B and 
fixes the position both vertically and fore and aft by means of the 
faceplate 150 and pins 170A, 170B and 172A, 172B. The pins 170A, 170B and 
172A, 172B, additionally are useful as a locator means thus further 
facilitating easy assembly. 
FIG. 5B is a staggered cross-section through line 5B--5B of FIG. 5A. As 
indicated, the left side of FIG. 5B is sectioned through the level of 
bushing 158A while the right side of FIG. 5B is sectioned through the 
level of aperture 174B. 
When the device 10 is fully assembled and mounted to a bass drum 30, as 
shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of individual drums, percussion instruments 
or other equipment (e.g., microphones) may be mounted at various locations 
on the first and second rail members 12, 14 by way of mounting brackets 
80. 
One embodiment of a mounting bracket 80A is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 while an 
alternative embodiment of such mounting bracket 80B is shown in FIG. 8. 
With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the first embodiment of the mounting 
bracket 80A comprises a vertical member 82 having first and second 
horizontal members 84, 86 attached to and extending perpendicular 
therefrom. The vertical member 82 and horizontal members 84, 86 cooperate 
to form a generally U-shaped structure which is slideably advanceable over 
both the upper rail member 12 and lower rail member 14, as shown. The 
length of the horizontal members 84, 86 is slightly greater than the outer 
diameter of the first and second rail members 12, 14. 
A retainer member 92 is mountable over the outboard ends of horizontal 
members 84, 86 to form an enclosed region 94 within the mounting bracket 
80A wherein the first and second rail members 12, 14 are retained. 
Threaded bores are formed within horizontal members 84, 86 to receive 
winged screw members 94, 96. Tightening of wing screw members 94, 96 will 
cause retainer member 92 to inwardly tighten against the side walls of 
upper and lower rail members 12, 14, thereby gripping rail members 12 and 
14 between the opposing surfaces of vertical member 82 and retainer member 
92. 
Vibration damping pads 88, 90 formed of material such as rubber may be 
positioned on the opposing surfaces of vertical member 82 and retainer 
member 92 so as to minimize transmission of vibrational energy from the 
mounting bracket 80A into rail members 12, 14. Similarly, a rubber tubular 
sleeve 96 or other vibration-damping padding material may be formed on the 
surface of the upper horizontal member 84, at least in the region whereat 
the upper horizontal member 84 abuts against upper rail member 12, so as 
to minimize transmission of vibrational energy from upper horizontal 
member 84 into upper rail member 12. 
A percussion instrument mounting fixture, such as a female sleeve member 
100 is formed or positioned on vertical member 82 so as to facilitate 
mounting of a drum, other percussion instrument, or apparatus (e.g., a 
microphone) to the mounting bracket 80A. In the embodiments shown, the 
female sleeve member 100 is provided with a set screw receiving aperture 
102. Upon insertion of a male mounting member into the inner bore of 
female sleeve member 100, a set screw may be inserted and tightened 
through set screw aperture 102, thereby holding the male mounting member 
(phantom lines) in connective contact with the mounting bracket 80A. 
An alternative embodiment of a mounting bracket 80B is shown in FIG. 8. 
Such alternative embodiment mounting bracket 80B comprises a vertical 
member 82B having an instrument attachment apparatus, such as a female 
sleeve 102B positioned thereon. Such instrument connecting apparatus or 
female sleeve 102B may be substantially the same as that shown in the 
first embodiment mounting bracket 80A. A hinged clamping apparatus 110 is 
attached to vertical member 82B. Hinged clamping apparatus 110 is sized 
and configured to clamp around and hold first and second rail members 12, 
14, as shown. In the preferred embodiment, the hinged clamping apparatus 
110 comprises a generally U-shaped base plate 112 and a retainer member 
114. Retainer member 114 is attached to the top end of the generally 
U-shaped base plate by way of hinge 116. The bottom end of retainer member 
114 is provided with an aperture 120 through which winged screw member 122 
may be inserted. A corresponding aperture (not shown) is formed in the 
opposing portion of base plate 112. Thus, in operation, the hinged 
clamping apparatus 110 may be advanced over first and second rail members 
112, 114 such that rail members 112, 114 are positioned inboard of the 
generally U-shaped base plate 112. Thereafter, the retainer member 114 may 
be advanced to its closed position and winged screw member 122 may be 
tightened through aperture 120 to clamp and hold the mounting bracket 80B 
in substantially fixed position on the first and second rail members 12, 
14. 
Rubber pads or other vibration damping material (not shown) may be formed 
on the inboard surfaces of the base plate member 112 and retainer member 
114 to minimize transmission of vibrational energy from the mounting 
bracket 80B into first rail member 12 or second rail member 14. 
By engaging both upper rail member 12 and lower rail member 14, the 
mounting brackets 80 of the present invention will be substantially 
prevented from rotationally slipping even though winged screws 94, 96 or 
122 may loosen slightly during operation. This is an advantage over 
devices which may utilize only a single rail member, as rotational 
movement around a single rail member is more likely in the event of 
loosening of the mounting bracket attached thereto. 
As shown in FIG. 9, there is also provided an optional seat-frame connector 
apparatus 200 which functions to mount and connect the drummer's seat 202 
to the basal cross member 22 of the device 10. Such interconnection 
between the seat 200 and the rack device 10 serves to prevent or deter 
movement or "walking" of the bass drum 30 and rack device 10 during 
operation. 
In the presently preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the seat-frame 
connector apparatus 200 comprises a basal pedestal 204 having first and 
second arm members 206, 208 extending rearwardly therefrom. The distal 
ends of arm members 206, 208 are securely fastened to basal cross member 
22 by way of screws, bolts or any other suitable fastener apparatus. 
As can be appreciated the apparatus shown in the invention of the present 
application may be utilized in association with two or more base drums. In 
such applications, more than one base drum mounting fixture 26 may be 
utilized to concommitantly attach bar members 12 and 14 to more than one 
bass drum. 
The foregoing detailed description and the accompanying drawings are 
provided for purposes of describing and illustrating presently preferred 
embodiments of the invention only. It is appreciated that those skilled in 
the art will arrive at various modifications, alterations and/or additions 
to the herein described embodiments of the present invention. Although 
applicant has not endeavored to specifically describe all such 
modifications, alterations and/or additions, it is intended that all such 
modifications, alterations and additions be included within the scope of 
the following claims.