A drumstick including a first portion having a tip for striking a percussion instrument and a second portion separate from and mounted to the first portion. The second portion defines a space to house one or more functional components of the drumstick, and the second portion includes a substantially tubular outer wall defining the space therein.

BACKGROUND

The present teachings related to a drumstick.

Typically drumsticks are manufactured from wood and are produced with a number of design variations to achieve a desired sound, balance and longevity, as well as being adapted to different users and their playing styles.

Thinner and lighter sticks typically allow faster playing and create a lighter sound on percussion instruments such as drums and cymbals. Thicker and heavier sticks will provide more power and projection but cannot be played as quickly.

The overall length of a drumstick as well as its tapering towards the tip also affects the “feel” of the stick and the subject of a particular user preference.

It is also known to make drumsticks from materials other than wood, such as metal or plastics.

Further, it is known to incorporate functional components into drumsticks such as LEDs (light emitting diodes) in order that some or all of the drumstick can be lit. This may be desirable as it allows a drummer, who is typically located towards the rear of a stage, and is often hidden behind their drum kit, to have a greater visibility as part of an overall performance.

However, problems exist in incorporating components such as LEDs and batteries required to power said LEDs into a drumstick, whilst maintaining the playability and feel of that drumstick.

SUMMARY

A first aspect provides a drumstick comprising a first portion having a tip for striking a percussion instrument and a second portion separate from and mounted to the first portion. The second portion defines a space to house one or more functional components of the drumstick, and the second portion comprises a substantially tubular outer wall defining the space therein. The drumstick further comprises a cap arranged to close the space on an end remote from the tip. The first portion comprises an extension, which extends at least partially within the space, and the cap is arranged to be secured to the extension.

By providing the second portion as a tube, the space therein can be maximised. This may allow the drumstick to be thinner. Further, the length of the drumstick can be customised, e.g. for adult vs child users or different styles of drumming without significant additional tooling costs. Finally, it may enable the ‘balance’ of the drumstick to be optimised, such that the feel of a drumstick with additional functions to be tuned to be similar to that of a conventional drumstick.

A cap provides a convenient way of closing the space from foreign matter.

This arrangement effectively allows the second portion to be clamped in place between the first portion and end cap.

The drumstick may further comprise a light source, such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED), arranged such that light is selectively emitted at least from the tip of the device.

The emission of light from a drumstick is a desirable feature as it enables a drummer, who is often less visible during a performance, to have a greater visual impact.

The light source may be housed within the space.

The light source is a functional component that may conveniently be housed within the space.

The drumstick may further comprise a light guide which is provided through first portion such that light from the light source may reach the tip.

The entirety of the first portion may be substantially formed from light transmissive material, such as polycarbonate.

This simplifies manufacture of the drumstick, and further may allow light to be emitted at other locations within the first portion.

The drumstick may further comprise an energy storage device, such as a battery or capacitor, housed within the space.

The tubular wall arrangement maximises the available space for energy storage, especially if button or cylindrical cells are used.

The drumstick may further comprise an accelerometer, gyroscope and/or inertial switch housed within the space.

An accelerometer or switch may be used to sense striking or other movement of the drumstick to assist in providing additional functions, e.g. if coupled with a light source to permit the light source to be triggered upon impact with an instrument.

The drumstick may further comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) housed within the space.

A PCB further facilitates additional functions of the drumstick.

The energy storage device may be mounted to the printed circuit board.

This further integrates multiple functional components to make the drumstick more compact and potentially ease assembly thereof.

The cap may further comprise a user input, such as a switch, to control operation of the drumstick.

The cap is at a convenient location to mount a switch where it is accessible but less susceptible to damage.

The cap may further comprise an interface for enabling charging of the energy storage device.

The cap is a convenient location to mount an interface for charging where it is accessible but less susceptible to damage.

The extension may comprise a boss extending in a transverse direction for fixing of the cap thereto.

A boss provides material to enable, for example, a female thread to be cut into the extension for a threaded fastener to mount the cap thereto.

The drumstick may further comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) and the boss may further locate the PCB.

This arrangement may further facilitate assembly of the drumstick.

The drumstick may further comprise a resilient element, such as an O-ring, which is provided between the first and second portions.

A resilient element may dampen vibrations that are generated at the tip, so the vibrations transmitted to the second portion are reduced. This may make the drumming more comfortable. Further the resilient element may seal the space to inhibit foreign material entering the space and harming function of the drumstick.

A second aspect provides a method of assembling a drumstick of the first aspect, the method comprising the steps of:a. mounting the second portion to the first portion;b. providing at least one functional component in the space prior or subsequent to step a.; andc. securing the cap to the extension of the first portion so as to secure the first and second components together.

The method may comprise a further step d., prior to step a., of injection moulding the first portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIG. 1a drumstick in accordance with the present teachings is generally indicated at10. The drumstick comprises multiple parts along its length, specifically a tip12that is rounded and intended to contact a drum or other instrument to cause that instrument to generate noise, a taper14, a substantially cylindrical shaft16and a substantially cylindrical handle18. The drumstick10terminates at the end remote from the tip12in an end cap20as discussed in more detail below.

In this embodiment, the tip12, taper14and shaft16are all integrally and monolithically formed from the same piece of material. Typically, this is achieved in an injection moulding process as discussed in more detail below. In other embodiments, this may not be the case, e.g. the tip12may be separately attachable onto the taper. In addition, in other embodiments, no cylindrical shaft may be provided, e.g. the handle may interface with the taper. Further, in this embodiment the tip12, taper14, and shaft16are formed from a transparent polycarbonate material, although in other embodiments may be formed from wood or other plastics material, for example.

With reference toFIG. 7, the handle18is formed in this embodiment from a tube of the same or a similar diameter to that of the shaft16, but defining a hollow space therein, as described in more detail below. In this embodiment the tube is aluminium. In other embodiments, the handle18may be formed from other materials such as other metals, plastics such as nylon or polycarbonate or composite materials such as carbon fibre and resin, the tubular shape may be formed by extrusion, deep drawing or bending of a flat sheet of material, for example.

Finally, the end cap may also be made of a plastics material, as in this embodiment, or a suitable metal, e.g. aluminium.

In this embodiment, the tip12, taper14and shaft16define a first portion22and the handle18defines a second portion24.

Referring now toFIGS. 3 to 6, the drumstick10is shown in various states of assembly. InFIG. 3the first portion22is visible, together with an extension thereof26which is received within the handle18and is therefore not visible inFIGS. 1 and 2. In addition, a screw28is depicted that is mounted to the extension26. The extension26is also integrally and monolithically formed with the first portion22, e.g. by injection moulding. As can be seen fromFIGS. 3, 4 and 5the extension comprises the following sections, starting from its connection to the shaft16: a mounting portion30, a light housing32, a support34and a boss36.

The mounting section30is dimensioned to receive and support the handle18and in this embodiment includes two annular recesses38that are arranged to receive O-rings (not shown) and therefore both damp and seal the handle18to the first portion22. The mounting section30also includes a stop40that in this embodiment is an area of increased diameter with respect to the shaft16in order to prevent the handle18from sliding any further down the first portion22. In other embodiments the stop may simply be an annular end face of the shaft16such that the handle18and the shaft16are of the same overall diameter.

The light housing32is a depression in the generally cylindrical body of the first portion22that is open on one radial face, and closed on two sides. An axial end wall42is provided at the end facing the first portion22and is rounded so as to receive the light emitting portion of an LED44(shown in phantom inFIG. 6). When the LED44is lit this enables the light to pass axially through the shaft16, taper14and be emitted at the tip12and along its length. The support34is a relatively thin elongate portion that is arranged to sit proximate to an inner surface45of the tubular handle18. As such, the support34provides a connection axially to the boss36whilst not consuming a significant amount of the space provided within the handle18.

The boss36extends transversely from the support34at its end remote from the first portion. The boss36is provided with a bore that extends axially, into which the screw28may be secured, in particular, the screw28may be self-tapping and the bore may act as a form of pilot hole, or a suitable threaded insert (not shown) may be provided in the bore to retain the screw.

As can most clearly be seen inFIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the screw28is utilised to mount the end cap20to the extension26and therefore to the first portion22.

The end cap20comprises a section46that has a diameter substantially the same as that of the handle18(and stop40), which therefore acts to confine the handle18between the head section46and the stop40. Two arms48extend from the head46towards the extension26and have curved radially outer profiles which are shaped and dimensional so as to substantially conform to the inner surface45. This further aids the stability of the drumstick10when assembled.

A mouth50also is provided in the end cap20and, as can be seen fromFIG. 6, is arranged to receive a printed circuit board (PCB)52. As well as supporting the PCB52the mouth also has aperture54that extends through to the end face. This enables a switch56mounted on to the PCB to extend through to the end wall of the end cap20where a user can actuate the switch, e.g. to turn the light function on and off.

As shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 6, the PCB52is also arranged to mount four button cell batteries58within the space adjacent to the support34, as well as the LED44using suitable mounts or “cages”59. However, in alternative embodiments, there may be any suitable number of cell batteries. It will be appreciated that a hole is provided in the PCB52in order that it may fit over the boss36. This further assists in the axial retention of the PCB52. In addition, as shown inFIG. 6a controller60, e.g. a microprocessor controller, is mounted to the PCB in the space adjacent to the arms48. Further, this space is also used to mount an inertial switch62.

In other embodiments this space, as well as the space adjacent to the support34may be used to additionally or alternatively mount other functional components such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, capacitors, re-chargeable batteries, motors or actuators to provide haptic feedback, power sockets, communication interfaces, or other functional components. For the embodiment depicted inFIGS. 1 to 6, assembly of the drumstick is achieved as follows:

The first portion22is injection moulded and the second portion24is manufactured by extrusion, drawing or other suitable method. The batteries58are mounted to the PCB52, which already has the controller60, an inertial switch62and LED44mounted thereto (e.g. by soldering). The PCB52is then mounted to the extension26by the aperture54in the PCB being fitted over the boss36and the LED44being accommodated in the light housing32. The O-rings are then fitted into the annular recesses38and the handle18is slid over the extension26until it abuts the stop40. The end cap20is then slid within the space defined by the handle18such that the PCB is accommodated within the mouth50and the arms48are situated adjacent the boss36.

The screw28is then threaded into the boss36and tightened. The act of tightening the screw in effect clamps the axial ends of the handle18between the stop40and the head section46. This stabilises the handle18on the first portion22so that relative movement between the first portion22and the second portion24is minimised. However, at the same time the O-rings (not shown) within the recesses38act to dampen the transmission of vibrations from the tip12through to the handle18when the drumstick10strikes a suitable percussion instrument. To use the drumstick10, a drummer firstly turns on the lighting function by pressing switch56. In a typical mode of operation, the inertial switch62is arranged such that when the drumstick10impacts a drum or other instrument this closes the circuit connecting the cells58to the LED44and causes the LED to become illuminated and emit the light through the first portion22and be emitted at the tip12and along the first portion22.

However, in more advanced versions of the drumstick10the controller60may control the colour of the light emitted by the LED, the duration of lighting, whether the lighting is continuous or flashing, for example.

Further, in other variants the switch56may be operable to switch the drumstick10to operate in different modes, e.g. continuous lighting in a single colour or cycling through colours, for example. In a further variant, the inertial switch may be replaced by an accelerometer or gyroscope to provide more precise inputs to the controller60of the drumstick's10orientation or position in space. This may be utilised to further control how the light is emitted from the drumstick10.

In still further variants, the cells58may be replaced by a re-chargeable battery and a suitable charging interface may be provided on the end face of the end cap20to enable the re-chargeable battery to be charged. A suitable interface may be a micro USB or USB-C type connector.

With reference in particular toFIGS. 5 and 6, it will be appreciated that various lengths of handle18can inherently be mounted to the first portion simply by using the screw28to adjust the position of the head section46relative to the stop. As such the shortest length of handle to be mounted would be that of a length where the mouth50of the end cap20abuts against the boss36. Conversely, longer screws and end caps with longer arms48may be utilised to allow for a longer handle18without needing to change the mould tool used to mould the first portion22. This therefore allows the drumstick10to be customised to particular user requirements without expensive re-tooling.

Referring now toFIG. 8, a first portion22identical to that of the first embodiment is shown in enlarged plan view of the extension26thereof. However, in this embodiment the button cell batteries58are stacked in series with their planar end faces in contact with each other. The cells58are mounted to a smaller PCB152via end terminals164. This arrangement of cells58is more compact in an axial direction than the arrangement depicted inFIG. 6, thereby enabling the PCB152to be significantly smaller or other functional components to be located in the space adjacent to the support34.

Referring toFIG. 9, like parts from previous figures described herein are denoted with the prefix ‘2’.FIG. 9depicts a further alternative embodiment where the first portion222has been reconfigured such that the support234is shortened and the boss236is therefore closer to the light housing232than in the first portion22of the first embodiment. Again, this allows a smaller PCB252to be used and optionally for the PCB to be provided with an aperture266to locate it thereon. This arrangement may allow for an even greater customisation of the length of the handle18as there is more scope for adjustment of the position of the end cap20relative to the boss236.

Referring toFIG. 10, like parts from previous figures described herein are denoted with the prefix ‘3’.FIG. 10illustrates a still further variant of the first portion322where the extension326is substantially the same as the extension226ofFIG. 9but the shaft316has been elongated by the introduction of a stop340that is substantially longer axially than that depicted in the first embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 6. As this portion is of a constant cross section, the injection moulding tool for the first portion322can be easily reconfigured to change the length of this portion without significant re-tooling costs. This therefore provides a further opportunity for customising the length and/or balance of the drumstick310ofFIG. 10.

It will be appreciated that numerous changes may be made within the scope of the present teachings. For example, the first portion may be manufactured from wood with a separate clear tip and clear light guide extending through the centre of the wood. Further, the tip may be frosted to alter the light emission. A handle may be formed from different tubular material such as tubular nylon or polycarbonate. The tip may be changed to be one that is mallet shaped or spherical and/or made of softer material. The drumstick may be adapted to become a foot pedal operated drumstick, the polycarbonate material may be dyed to be a different colour, may have UV fluorescent properties or be glow in the dark. The drumstick may additionally be able to output signals via BLUETOOTH® or an interface, e.g. to allow the stick to play “virtual” drums in space and still create a sound via a speaker in conjunction with a suitable accelerometer and/or gyroscope. Further or alternatively the drumstick may incorporate its own sounder within the space of the handle, the drumstick may be configured such that the LED may be used in a particular mode to indicate the charged state of the batteries, e.g. by emitting a green light to indicate that the battery charge is good, amber that it is at an intermediate level, and red to show that the batteries are almost exhausted. Alternative arrangements may be used to secure the first and second portions together, e.g. complimentary threaded connections, bayonet-type fittings and/or adhesive. In further embodiments, the drumstick may be mounted to a foot pedal so as to strike a bass drum upon operation of the foot pedal.