DRUM WITH A TUNING MECHANISM

Two or more deadening elements are in contact with the underside of the drum head and are provided with a mechanism which moves the deadener or deadeners across the drum head thus varying the effective resonating area of the head so that the drum can be tuned while playing. As an example, the drum tuning can be changed from a bass drum to a concert tom. The preferred embodiment includes a pair of opposed, curved deadeners which are moved towards and away from one another in concentric relationship with the drum head. The actuator system is arranged to move the first deadening element at a rate of movement different from the second and thus defining three effective resonating areas of different sizes between the first and the periphery, between the first and the second and between the second and the periphery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Attempts have been made in the past to provide a tuning mechanism which is variable while the drum is being played and examples of such tuning mechanisms are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,729,133, 2,548,271, 3,685,389 and the mechanism shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,048,895 which is an adaptation of the “RotaTom”. All of these patents operate by varying the tension in the drum head skin which is an unsatisfactory way of accomplishing the tuning because of the varying of tension of the skin. This tends to stretch the skin unduly and place undue strain upon the skin and considerable leverage is required in order to accomplish this skin or drum head stretching.

In prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,228,721 (Hancox) issued Oct. 21 1980 is disclosed an arrangement including two deadening elements which are in contact with the underside of the drum head and are connected to a foot operated mechanism which moves the deadener or deadeners across the drum head thus varying the effective resonating area of the head so that the drum can be tuned while playing. As an example, the drum tuning can be changed from a bass drum to a concert tom. The preferred embodiment includes a pair of opposed, curved deadeners which are moved towards and away from one another by a common pulley system in concentric relationship with the drum head so that both elements move simultaneously.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a musical drum comprising:a substantially cylindrical body defining a center and a circular periphery;a drum skin stretched over one end of the body to the periphery and constituting a drum head;and a drum tuning mechanism comprising:a first and a second deadening element each in contact with the underside of the skin and each comprising a generally arcuate strip element arranged on a respective side of the center;a track mounting said first and second deadening elements within the body for movement toward and away from the center thereby varying an effective resonating area of the drum head;and an actuator system within said body operatively connected to the deadening elements to move the deadening elements across said drum head;the actuator system being arranged to move the first deadening element at a rate of movement different from the second and thus defining three effective resonating areas of different sizes between the first and the periphery, between the first and the second and between the second and the periphery.

Preferably each of said deadening elements includes an arcuately curved strip with one longitudinal surface thereof contacting the underside of said drum head.

Preferably the mounting track of said deadening elements within said body includes:a track assembly spanning said body,and track assembly engaging elements on said deadening element guiding and holding said deadening element relative to said drum head.

Preferably the track assembly is curved with the apex of the curvature being substantially centrally of said drum head.

Preferably there is provided means to adjust the deadening element relative to said drum head thereby varying the pressure of said deadening element upon said drum head.

Preferably the actuator system includes at least one linear actuator for moving the first and a second deadening element.

Preferably the actuator system includes one linear actuator for moving the first deadening element and a coupling between the first and a second deadening elements which generates movement of the second deadening element at a rate of movement different from the first.

Preferably the actuator system includes one linear actuator for moving the first deadening element and a coupling between the first and a second deadening elements which generates movement of the second deadening element at a rate of movement twice that of the first.

Preferably the coupling comprises a pulley.

Preferably the actuator system includes an arrangement for returning the second deadening element from a retracted position outwardly to an initial position adjacent the periphery.

Preferably the actuator system is arranged to move the first deadening element at a rate of movement equal to or greater than two times that of the second. The movement may be at a rate of movement of the order of three times that of the second.

The actuator system can include an operating control operable by physical contact with a body component of a player. Alternatively the actuator system can be operated based on a computer control program related to music to be played.

In one arrangement for driving the deadeners, the actuator system includes two motors each for driving a respective one of the first and second deadening elements where there is provide an electrical control system which controls the movement of the motors at different rates of movement.

The present invention thus accomplishes the tuning by varying the effective resonating area of the skin forming the drum head rather than by varying the basic tension thereof. This means that the tension of the skin or drum head remains relatively constant at all times thus relieving undue strain upon the skin. It also means that relatively simple and lightweight mechanisms can be used to accomplish this variation of resonating area. Another advantage of the present invention is that means may be provided to vary the initial contact or pressure of the deadeners upon the underside of the drum head.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described in which the basic tuning of the drum head can be undertaken by the conventional means around the perimeter of the drum with the deadeners in the widest position thus enabling infinite tuning to be carried out from this point, within the range of the movement of the deadeners.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is simply installed upon existing drums, is economical in manufacture and otherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is designed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A drum collectively designated10is shown having a single skin11spanning the cylindrical body12at one end only with the opposite or lower end13being open and although the device is designed primarily for use with single headed drums, nevertheless it can be readily adapted for use with drums having opposing head assemblies.

The skin11is held by means of the clamp ring14surrounding the upper end of the drum body12and the initial tension of the skin is adjusted by a plurality of bolt assemblies15cooperating between the ring14and anchors16secured to the side wall of the drum, all of which is conventional.

Also to be noted are the tripod leg assemblies consisting of three individual leg members17engaging within leg holders18secured to the drum body12and extending downwardly therefrom terminating in rubber tipped lower ends19, once again all of which is conventional.

The arrangement herein collectively designated20is situated within the drum body12and is secured thereto as will hereinafter be described.

In its preferred embodiment, the invention includes first and second deadening elements21A and21B.

Each deadening element consists preferably of an arcuately curved member22,24secured to a mounting strip23by means of rivet screws or the like (not illustrated) with the mounting strip23in turn being secured to a cylindrical socket24A as by welding or the like. The deadening members22are provided with a curvature similar to the curvature of the drum head and these elements are preferably formed from lead or a similar material and are positioned so that the upper longitudinally extending edge24contacts the underside of the skin11which constitutes the drum head. Lead or some similar substance is preferred as it gives the required deadening effect. Felt can be used, but it is found that felt gives a completely dead feeling whereas lead or some similar relatively heavy material, not only gives the required deadening effect, but also provides the desired amount of “hangover” when the drums are being played.

A rail assembly collectively designated25spans the body12of the drum just below the drum head or skin11and is preferably slightly arcuately curved with the apex26of the rail assembly being situated substantially centrally of the drum head11. This ensures that the deadening elements are maintained in contact with the drum skin bearing in mind that the drum skin is more flexible adjacent the center than at the sides.

In the present embodiment, the rail assembly comprises a pair of spaced and parallel cylindrical rods25A, the ends of which engage within sockets27which in turn are secured to the wall of the drum body12by means of screws28or the like.

The aforementioned deadener elements include a short, angulated rod29engaging within the socket24A so that the element22may be raised or lowered relative to the drum head11and secured in the desired relationship by means of a set screw or Allen screw engaging through the wall of the socket24A. This enables the edge24of the deadener element22to contact the underside of the head or skin11with the desired amount of pressure depending upon circumstances.

The lower end of an angulated rod is screw threaded and engages within a mounting block31so that it extends upwardly from the upper side thereof. This mounting block is apertured to slidably engage over the twin rails25A constituting the part of the rail assembly25so that the two deadening assemblies can slide along the rails25A towards or away from one another always maintaining contact with the underside of the drum head or skin11.

It will be noted that the deadening elements are situated concentrically with the perimeter of the drum and one upon each side of the centre point of the drum head so that as they move towards or away from one another, they define therebetween, a resonating area indicated by reference character34. The slight curvature of the rails is desirable as it assists in maintaining an even tension on the drum head or skin regardless of the position of the elements21.

An actuator is provided to move the elements21towards or away from one another by the desired amount, said means including a guide track collectively designated as described in a number of different embodiments hereinafter.

and an actuating rod collectively designated36with flexible cord assembly collectively designated37being operatively connected between the elements21and the actuating rod36.

The guide track, in this embodiment, includes a pair of spaced and parallel rods extending downwardly from one of the tracks approximately centrally thereof. In other arrangements not shown the guide track can comprises a flat bar with an upwardly facing flat surface over which the deadener element can roll using rollers or wheels to reduce friction forces. A holder abutment on the deadener element can engage the flat bar at the underside to hold the structure in stable position as it moves along the guide.

In operation, the deadening elements21are moved to their furthest apart position whereupon the initial tension drum head or skin11is set by means of the assemblies15.

Once tuned to this basic tension, the tuning can be varied at will by moving the deadener elements22towards one another thereby varying the effective resonance area of the skin11and at the same time maintaining a substantially even tension to the skin or drum head11.

Although the rail assembly25is shown with two cylindrical cross sectioned rods, nevertheless it will be appreciated that other configurations can be used provided that the deadening elements are prevented from rotating relative to the rail assembly.

InFIG.2, the actuator system20includes two motors40and41each for driving a respective one of the first and second deadening elements23through a respective belt401,411and there is provide an electrical control system42which controls the drive movement of the motors at different rates of movement. In this arrangement the actuator system defined by the motors is arranged to move the first deadening element22at a rate of movement equal to or greater than two times that of the second element24. More preferably the actuator system is arranged to move the first deadening element22at a rate of movement of the order of three times that of the second24.

In this arrangement, the actuator system20is arranged to move the first deadening element22at a rate of movement different from the second24and thus defining three effective resonating areas R1, R2and R3of different sizes including a first R1between the first and the periphery, a second R2between the first and the second and a third R3between the second and the periphery.

InFIGS.3and4is shown an actuator system20within the body operatively connected to the deadening elements21A,21B to move the deadening elements across the drum head.

As explained above, each of the deadening elements includes an arcuately curved strip with one longitudinal surface thereof contacting the underside of the drum head.

As explained above, the mounting of said deadening elements within said body includes a track or rail assembly25spanning the body and track engaging elements21A,21B on the track guiding and holding the deadening elements relative to the drum head.

As explained above, the track assembly25is curved with the apex of the curvature being substantially centrally of said drum head.

As explained above, the elements31include an adjustment component to adjust the height of the deadening element relative to the drum head thereby varying the pressure of the deadening element upon the drum head.

In this arrangement, the actuator system20includes a linear actuator211for moving the first deadening element21A along the guide track25. There is also provided a coupling212between the first element21A and the second deadening element21B which generates movement of the second deadening element at a rate of movement different from the first. Typically the rate of movement is proportional and in an arrangement where the second moves at a rate equal to or more than twice the rate of the first, this can be carried out by a simple pulley construction including a cable213attached at one end to the drum and at the other end to the second element21B and passing over pulley wheels214and215where the latter is mounted on the element21A so that the cable and pulley arrangement pulls the element21B at twice the rate of the element21A. Other arrangements for carrying out the same function can be provided where the ratio of movement is obtained by the selection of the device. The same operation can be obtained by using two linear actuators or two motors each moving a separate one of the elements.

In the arrangement where the element is pulled by a cable or wire, the actuator system includes an arrangement such as a spring216for returning the second deadening element from a retracted position shown inFIG.4outwardly to an initial position adjacent the periphery shown inFIG.3.

FIG.5is a bottom plan view of an alternative pulley arrangement using a power source50to drive a first pulley51which communicates the differential rate of drive to the first pulley52and to a second pulley53attached to the first and second deadening elements respectively where the pulleys52an d53are of different diameters so provide eh different rate of movement.

It will be appreciated that the separate areas R1, R2and R3can be adjusted to have different sizes and thus different tunings and these sizes can be adjusted during use by operating the actuator211or the motor50or the two motors40and41using an electrical switch.

The actuator system includes an operating control44operable by physical contact with a body component of a player to control the actuators as required to allow the player to effect the required movement during playing to change the tuning.

Alternatively the actuator system can be operated based on a computer control program from an input45related to music to be played. Thus the actuator or actuators can be operated by the computer-controlled system including programing to effect tuning at intervals and times determined by the program. This avoids the necessity for the drummer to effect the control and can be used as a part of a pre-programmed music effects system which generates additional musical components for a performance.

FIG.6is a bottom plan view of a further alternative pulley arrangement which operates similarly to that ofFIG.5using a power source60to drive a pulley61which communicates though a belt66to two pulleys62and63of different diameters so that the belt66drives the pulleys62and63at a common rate which is connected to respective belts64and65so that the different diameters drive the belts64and65at differential rates so as to move the deadeners21A and21B at different rates. The pulleys are stacked as required to provide the necessary driving toothed wheels to the belts.