Hybrid drum apparatus

A hybrid drum apparatus combines and integrates at least two different types of drums into a common apparatus. The hybrid drum apparatus includes a six-sided box drum upon which a player sits and strikes the front and side surfaces to produce various percussion sounds. The box drum body serves as a housing for another type of drum, such as a djembe, which is an elongated goblet-shaped hollow drum, having a membrane drumhead top. The djembe is integrated into the box drum body such both may be played simultaneously. The hybrid drum provides an opening into which the djembe may be inserted such that the drumhead is relatively flush with the strike surface of the box drum. The rear panel of the box drum is provided with an opening which both supports the bottom end of the djembe and allows for the sounds produced to resonate out from the box drum body. The hybrid drum apparatus may incorporate other elongated drums, such as a doumbek or congo, as well as frame drums, such as a flat drum or tambourine. Advantageously, the hybrid drum apparatus may combine and support a variety of drums interchangeably.

BACKGROUND

The present embodiments disclosed relate generally to musical instruments and more particularly to a cajon or box drum and other types of percussion instruments.

A cajon is a percussion instrument that originated in Peru. The original cajons were made out of discarded shipping crates. The most common form of the cajon is a cuboid shaped wooden box built to various sizes that is played with the player sitting on the top surface of the cajon and striking the outside of the front panel. A typical cajon has a resonant chamber enclosed by the cajon walls or panels, with an opening or port formed in the back panel for producing bass tones from the resonant chamber. Generally, the opening in the back panel of the cajon body allows for relief of air flow resulting from the cajon being struck by the player, and serves to amplify the sound coming from within the cajon.

Metal strings or snares, attached usually as an option to the inside surface of the striking surface of the front panel, are used to produce a snare sound when the front panel is struck. The cajon walls or panels, because they are relatively thin, operate as vibrating membranes serving the same relative function as a conventional drumhead. Striking a cajon panel or strike panel in different places, e.g. the corners, high or low sections, or the central portion, can thus produce a variety of different and pleasing percussive sounds. To play the cajon, the player typically may use his or her hands, fingers, palms, knuckles and fingernails to produce a multitude of sounds. Mallets, brushes and sticks or any other suitable resilient or hard object may also be used for this purpose. Because a cajon can produce a multitude of drum sounds by striking different areas of the front panel and or side panels of the instrument, and because of its portability, the cajon has grown in popularity. Additionally, the cajon may provide a viable and more cost effective alternative to a drum set.

With the cajon being an integral instrument in Flamenco music and more recently in various other musical styles, the need for a better sounding cajon becomes more apparent. Attempts to improve sound quality have been made in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,485,790 discloses a cajon with wires attached to the inside wherein each wire acts as a damping element. U.S. Pat. No. 7,482,522 further adds a pedal and snare carpet to change the tone of the instrument. However, there was still a further need for a drum that was capable of producing a deeper bass with more resonance such as produced by a conical or elongated shaped drum with a membrane drumhead and open bottom, in addition to the sound produced by striking wood. Yet it is still desirable to have the design and benefits of a cajon, such as that it may be sat upon while played, and can produce the crisp sounds of the wood panels and snares.

Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to these problems have eluded those skilled in the art. A musical instrument proposed herein solves the problem of having to have multiple separate drum and percussion instruments and accessories to accomplish the same desired variety of combined sounds described above.

SUMMARY

Presented herein, to accommodate the aforementioned need in the art, is a hybrid drum which is a combination of at least two different types of drums, integrated into a common unit or apparatus. The hybrid drum includes a six-sided box drum upon which a player sits and strikes the front and side surfaces to produce various percussion sounds. The box drum of the hybrid drum serves as a housing for another type or types of drums. For example, the hybrid drum also may include a djembe, which is an elongated goblet-shaped hollow drum, traditionally carved from a single piece of hardwood. The djembe has a skin or membrane drumhead top and an open bottom end from which the sound can resonate when the drumhead is struck. The djembe is integrated into the box drum body such that the hybrid drum allows for the playing of multiple drums thereby producing more diverse percussion sounds in one portable and compact unit. The hybrid drum requires less performance space and one less player than usually needed to play the two separate instruments of a box drum and a djembe simultaneously. Because the djembe drumhead and percussion strike surfaces of the box drum are close together in the hybrid drum, combinations of sounds may be made more quickly and effectively. In comparison to a conventional cajon, the hybrid drum provides deeper bass as well as treble sounds produced by drums with skins or membranes, while retaining the higher bass and snare sounds that a cajon offers.

The hybrid drum provides an opening in the front panel of the box drum into which a djembe may be inserted such that the drumhead of the djembe is relatively flush with the strike surface of the front panel of the box drum. Thus both the drumhead of the djembe and the strike surface of the box drum are provided within close proximity in the front panel such that either is easily accessible and strikable by the player with minimal effort. The rear panel of the box drum is provided with an opening which both supports the bottom end of the djembe and allows for the sounds produced by the player striking various areas and surfaces to resonate out from the box drum body.

It is understood that the hybrid drum may utilize other elongated drums instead of the djembe, such as a doumbek, or a congo, for example, which would be supported inside the box drum body in the same manner as the djembe embodiment. Furthermore shorted-bodied drums, for example a snare drum, could be inserted into the front opening, with no need for a base support. It is advantageous that the hybrid drum apparatus can combine and support a variety of drums as described, interchangeably.

One embodiment provides for a hybrid drum apparatus integrating multiple drums into one unit. A first drum is provided with a first drum body and a resonant chamber disposed within the drum body. A seating area may be provided on a top of the first drum body upon which a player may be seated. At least one strike surface is provided on the first drum body which a player may strike to produce sounds. A sound hole may be provided in the first drum body from which sounds from the resonant chamber emit upon a player striking any strike surface of the first drum body. An opening may be disposed in one strike surface of the first drum body, with the opening being distinct from the sound hole.

In an aspect of the embodiment, a second drum having a second drum body may be inserted into the first drum body through the opening, with a drum head remaining exposed outside of the first drum body and protruding from the opening, such that a player sitting on the seating area is able to strike the drum head of the second drum and any strike surface on the first drum body simultaneously.

Advantageously, one aspect provides that the second drum is removably inserted into the opening in the first drum body such that a third drum may be interchangeable with the second drum.

In one aspect, an embodiment provides that one or more snare wire sets or other components may also be installed in an upper portion on an inside of the front surface of the box drum, above the opening therein, to provide for even more percussive sound options.

Advantageously, an embodiment provides that the front panel of the box drum body be angled, thereby providing a larger strike surface as well as being more ergonomic for the player.

One feature of the box drum body provides that rear opening is larger than the base of the djembe for the purpose of resonating sounds emitting from the box drum body. In a particular embodiment the rear opening is formed in the shape of a keyhole or a hollow eight.

In one aspect, an embodiment takes advantage of the available space of the side panels of a box drum, by having textured applications installed externally on the box drum's strike panels for producing a range of unique and varied percussive sounds.

In another aspect, an embodiment takes advantage of the available space of the side panels to attach a variety of accessories capable of providing even more percussion sounds. Advantageously, the attached accessories are conveniently accessible to the player, being within arms reach.

Accordingly, one skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the concepts disclosed herein apply to a wide variety of combinations, in addition to the specific styles discussed herein and depicted in the accompanying figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose exemplary embodiments of a hybrid drum apparatus and system, combining two or more percussion components into an integrated unit.

FIG. 1shows a generic type of a cajon or box drum, known in the art. Cajon10includes a generally cuboid shaped cajon body12, having front panel14, back panel16, first side panel18and second side panel20(shown cut away so as to view the interior of cajon body12). Cajon body12further includes bottom panel22and top panel24, where top panel24functions as a seat for a player (not shown). Front panel14, back panel16, first side panel18, second side panel20, bottom panel22, and top panel24are integrally joined to form cajon body12. The outer surface area or strike surface26of front panel14may be struck by a hand of a player to achieve an audible effect. Inside cajon body12is resonant chamber28, which may include one or more sets of snare wires30on interior surface34of front panel14. Formed within back panel16is opening36which enables the production of bass sounds and functions as a resonating sound hole. Cajon body12is supported by feet38. The front panel of a typical cajon is most commonly constructed of wood ply, roughly ⅛″ to ¼″ in thickness, where the outer surface area is struck by the hand of the cajon player to achieve an audible effect. The front panel is normally mounted to the cajon body using screws.

Typically a cajon is played with a player in a seated position on top of the cajon and with the body being straddled between the player's legs. The player, sitting upright, strikes the vertical strike surface with his or her hands in a generally vertical and downward position, as depicted.

FIG. 2shows a djembe, which is an instrument known in the art. The djembe has a hollow, goblet-shaped body, with a membrane or skin as a drumhead. Typically the djembe is played in an upright position, as shown in the drawing, with a player in a seated position with the body between the player's legs. The player, sitting upright, strikes the horizontal drumhead with his or her hands in a generally horizontal position, as depicted. It will be easily understood by those familiar with percussion instruments that it would be most difficult for a single player to simultaneously play both a cajon and a djembe, while effectively producing quality desired sounds for both instruments. Hence, a hybrid drum apparatus and system is presented hereinafter.

FIG. 3illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a first component300of a hybrid drum apparatus featuring a novel box drum. Box drum100includes a six-sided box drum body102having front panel104, back panel106, first side panel108, and second side panel120. Second side panel120is shown partially cut away so as to view an interior of box drum body102. Box drum body102further includes bottom panel122and top panel124with top panel124functioning as a seat for a player (not shown). Front panel104, back panel106, first side panel108, second side panel120, bottom panel122, and top panel124are integrally joined to form box drum body102. In one embodiment, box drum body102may have a 12″ length×12″ width top panel, a 17″ length×12″ depth bottom panel, and 19″ height side panels. However it will be understood that these dimension are merely exemplary and may be varied to suit a players' size, for example.

The outer surface area of front panel104provides strike surface126which may be struck by a hand of the player (not shown). Inside box drum body102is resonant chamber128. In some embodiments, resonant chamber128may include one or more vibrating components on interior surface134of front panel104, opposing strike surface126. Shown generically as element130, the one or more vibrating components may include snare wires, sound string or cords, sound beads, etc. In some embodiments, front panel104may be angled as depicted, such that bottom panel122of box drum body102is longer from back to front than top panel124, thereby providing a larger playing area compared to a vertical front panel, as well as being more ergonomic for the player. In some embodiments, front panel104may be more or less angled compared to the embodiment shown. Box drum body102may be supported on feet138as shown, for example, or by any suitable means to elevate box drum body102from the floor, if desired.

In the exemplary embodiment, shown inFIG. 3, front panel104may be provided with a large, generally circular opening, hereinafter front panel opening148. Front panel opening148, may be disposed in a lower portion154of front panel104, closer to bottom panel122than top panel124, and below vibrating element130. Back panel106may be provided with a large key-hole shaped opening, for example, hereinafter back panel opening136. Back panel opening136allows for sounds to emit and resonate from resonant chamber128inside box drum body102. Back panel opening136in the depicted embodiment, has two generally circular portions, upper portion152and lower portion154. Upper portion152of back panel opening136may have a larger diameter than lower portion154of back panel opening136. Although upper portion152and lower portion154are described as circular and as having diameters, this does not necessarily require that their shapes be true circles.

In some embodiments, the shapes of front panel opening148and the back panel opening136may have alternate shapes and sizes so as to accommodate different shapes and sizes of components of the hybrid drum to be integrated with box drum body102of the hybrid drum. Furthermore, box drum body102may also be produced in other geometric configurations, for example octagonal, pentagonal, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, heptagonal, conical, and round, and may formed employing individual pieces or panels integrally joined to fashion the instrument, or a single continuous piece or panel as required (not shown). Individual pieces of panels may be joined together by adhesives, clamps, nails, screws, or other methods. In some embodiments, the box drum body102may be fabricated of a variety of materials, including, without limitation, wood, MDF, fiberglass, molded plastic, sheet metal and plastic sheets. Such variations in the abovementioned features are provided as needed, for example to accommodate other components of a hybrid drum apparatus and system in a box drum body, to be described hereinafter.

In some embodiments, peripheral edge146of front panel opening148may be provided with flange or front panel opening lip166(shown in phantom). Front panel opening lip166may line or cover peripheral edge146with protective material, such as foam rubber, plastic, etc. Similarly, peripheral edge156of back panel opening136may be provided with flange or back panel opening lip168(shown in phantom). Front panel opening lip166and back panel opening lip168are provided to protect the outer surfaces of a component, to be described hereinafter, which may be inserted into or through front panel opening148or back panel opening136. Furthermore, front panel opening lip166and back panel opening lip168serve as a means to hold an inserted component securely in place, preventing slipping, sliding, and rotation of the component relative to box drum body102. In other drawings, the protective lip may be omitted for simplicity although the feature may be provided in any embodiment, such as shown inFIG. 8.

FIG. 4illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a hybrid drum apparatus400featuring an integrated unit having an elongated drum supported within a novel box drum. Djembe210, having goblet-shaped body212with drumhead214and base end216, is integrated into box drum body102. It should be noted that djembe210represents any type of djembe, such as the djembe shown inFIG. 2, or a traditional rope tightened djembe, for example. Djembe210further is representative of other similarly shaped drums, including for example a doumbek.

Front opening148in front panel104of box drum body102provides a space through which djembe may be inserted base end first, such that drumhead of djembe is relatively flush with strike surface126of front panel104of box drum body102. Thus both drumhead214of djembe210and strike surface126of box drum body102are provided within close proximity in front panel104of box drum body102such that either is easily strikable by the player. In one embodiment, an optional vibrating component, such as snare wires140, may be installed in an upper part of interior surface134of front panel104of box drum body102, above front panel opening148therein for djembe210. In such an embodiment, a player has the ability to produce at least three distinct percussive sounds from the front panel, in and of itself, of hybrid drum apparatus400.

Back panel106of box drum body102is provided with back panel opening136which supports base end216of djembe and also allows for the sounds produced by the player striking various areas and surfaces to resonate. Back panel opening136is larger than base end216of djembe for the purpose of resonating sounds. Upper portion152of back panel opening136is depicted as being larger than lower portion154. Upper portion152may accommodate the extreme end of base end216of djembe, which tapers outward from the middle of goblet-shaped body212toward base end216. In the case where base end216may be wider than lower portion154of back panel opening136, when integrating djembe with box drum body102, base end216may be inserted through upper portion152of back panel opening136, which is shown as being larger than the extreme end of base end216. Then the base end216may be lowered into lower portion154of back panel opening136to be supported therein.

In some embodiments, peripheral edge146of front panel opening148and peripheral edge156of back panel opening136may be lined or covered with protective material (not shown), such as foam rubber, plastic, etc, which may protect the outer surfaces of the djembe as well as serve as a means to hold the djembe securely in place, preventing slipping, sliding, and rotation of the djembe relative to the box drum body102.

In some embodiments, as an alternative to a djembe, any drum with an 8″-10″ head may be removably inserted into the front opening of the box drum body, such as a doumbek, junior congas, or snare drums. Furthermore, the back opening in the box drum body102may accommodate frame drums or wood panels, as well and a resonant member if desired. In a particular embodiment the rear opening is formed in the shape of a hollow eight or keyhole. Examples of drums and other inserts such as an African Djembe, Middle Eastern Doumbek, Afro-Cuban Conga, Japanese Shime Daiko, and resonant members, which may be included in some aspects of some embodiments of the present application, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,659,469, issued February, 2010 to Belli, and entitled “PITCH MODULATOR DRUM,” the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIG. 5illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a hybrid drum apparatus500featuring a different type of elongated drum supported within the box drum body102described above. However, instead of a djembe, conga310having elongate body312with drumhead314and base end316is integrated with box drum body102in a similar manner. Front panel opening148of box drum body102provides a space through which conga310may be inserted into, base end316first, such that when in a proper resting position, drumhead314of conga310is relatively flush with strike surface126of front panel104, while lower portion154of back panel opening136(not visible) supports base end316of conga310. Thus both drumhead314of conga310and strike surface126of front panel104of box drum body102are provided within close proximity in the front panel104such that either is easily strikable by the player.

In one embodiment, depicted inFIG. 5, circular frame drum350may be disposed within upper portion152(not visible) of back panel opening136. Frame drum350is shown generically in the drawing for simplicity. It will be understood that any variety of frame drum is represented by frame drum350. Securing member or members352, to be described further hereinafter with reference toFIG. 6, may be provided to secure frame drum350to upper portion152of back panel opening136.

FIG. 6illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a hybrid drum apparatus600featuring yet another different drum and component integrated within the box drum body102described above. However, instead of a djembe or a conga which both have an elongate body, a frame drum is integrated into box drum body102. In one embodiment, snare drum410having frame412and drum head414may be inserted into front panel opening148of box drum body102. Snare drum frame412may be inserted into and supported by front panel opening148, such that drumhead414is relatively flush with strike surface126of front panel104. Thus both drumhead414of snare drum410and strike surface126of front panel104of box drum body102are provided within close proximity in front panel104such that either is easily strikable by the player.

In some embodiments, snare drum410or any frame drum disposed in front panel opening148may be secured in front panel opening148by any suitable securing member or members. Securing member or members may be provided on frame drum and/or in or around front panel opening148in order to securely retain the frame drum within the front panel opening148. Such mechanisms may include, for example, Velcro™-type closures, rubber gaskets, clamps, elastic cords, hooks, foam or plastic inserts or wedges, etc., which may be used alone or in any combination. For simplicity in the drawings, securing member or members are represented only generically by elements422. Elements422in the depicted embodiment may be formed as foam rubber wedges, which may be inserted between snare drum410and front panel opening148to secure snare drum in the front panel opening.

In one embodiment, depicted inFIG. 6, resonant member510may be disposed within lower portion154of back panel opening136. Types of resonant members include tubular members of varying shapes and lengths, such as Kickport® sound enhancers. Although not explicitly shown, securing member or members such as described above may be similarly provided for securing any components, including resonant member510, in back panel opening136, if needed.

In some embodiments, a vibration device440is provided on interior surface134of front panel104, as shown inFIG. 6. Vibration device440may have an interior filled with sound beads, for example, to provide additional percussive sounds when strike surface126is struck. Vibration device440may be used alone or in combination with snare wires140as previously described and/or with other mechanisms.

FIG. 7illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a hybrid drum apparatus700featuring a system for integrating a variety of components with the box drum body102described above. In the forefront of the drawing, three exemplary frame drums or panels, tambourine610, wood panel612, and flat skin-head drum614, are depicted as optional, interchangeable components. In some embodiments, for example, tambourine610may be removably attached to upper portion152of back panel opening136, as indicated by an arrow. Tambourine610, when disposed on back panel opening136, may be secured to back panel106by any suitable securing member or members. Securing member or members, such as described previously with respect toFIG. 6, may be similarly provided for securing any components on upper portion152of back panel opening136. Securing member or members may be provided on a frame drum, such as tambourine610, and/or in or around back panel opening136. For simplicity in the drawings, securing member or members are represented only generically by elements622on back panel106of box drum body102, and by elements624on skin-head drum614, as an example.

In one embodiment, as viewed from the back of box drum body102, back panel opening136is shown having back panel opening lip168to be applied around peripheral edge156thereof. Back panel opening lip168was described earlier herein with respect toFIG. 3, and as such any further explanation thereof is omitted.

FIG. 7further illustrates a system for interchangeably attaching accessories to the outside of box drum body102. In one embodiment, a variety of accessory components710are shown in a representative group. Accessory components710may include hand shakers and jingles, foot jingles, castanets, woodblocks, cabasas, cowbells, small snares, frame drums, tambourines, riqs, cymbals, kick pedals, etc.

In some embodiments, first side panel108of box drum body102may have one or more accessory holders712. Accessory holders712disposed on first side panel108may be secured to first side panel108by any suitable means. Accessory holders712may include, for example, pockets, hooks, Velcro™-type closures, elastic cords, etc., which may be used alone or in any combination. For simplicity in the drawings, accessory holders are represented only generically by attaching members722provided on first side panel108. Complementary attachment members724, also shown generically, may be provided on one or more of the accessory components710, as needed. It will be understood that accessory components may be attached to any of front panel104, first side panel108, second side panel120, top panel124and/or back panel106.

In one embodiment, texture surface810may be provided on second side panel120. It will be understood that one or more textured surface810may be attached to any of front panel104, first side panel108, second side panel120, top panel124and/or back panel106. Textured surface810may include polyester, fabric, brush material, sponge material, foam material, a silkscreened image, film material, resin, sandpaper material, sandblasted material, etc. Also provided in one embodiment may be a seating surface910which can be any suitable material, thickness, size, etc.