Electronic percussion instrument

An electronic percussion instrument that detects vibrations due to a hit and outputs a corresponding signal where the head of the instrument is held in place independent of a rim part. The independence stops vibrations originating from a hit of the rim from traveling to the head and interfering with the proper signal detection of hits to the head part.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Japanese patent application No. 2006-076441 (filed on Mar. 22, 2006 in Japan), which was assigned to the applicant and is incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate to electronic percussion instruments, in particular to an electronic percussion instrument that has a rim part separate from a hoop part that imparts tension to the head and a method of arranging the rim part, hoop part, and head part forming an electronic percussion instrument.

2. Related Art

Various electronic percussion instruments have been proposed, including electronic drums based on acoustic drums. These electronic drums have been formed such that a sensor detects the vibrations occurring when the electronic drum is hit. The detected signal from the sensor controls a sound source that forms musical notes in proportion to the force of the hit.

Methods for playing an acoustic drum have included the ordinary playing method of hitting only the surface (head) and the rim shot playing method. The rim shot playing method generally includes two types of playing methods: the open rim shot where the rim and the hitting surface (head) are hit simultaneously creating the drum's unique harmonic overtone effect, and the closed rim shot where only the rim is hit creating the “katsu-katsu” percussive sound.

As a result, previous embodiments of electronic percussion instruments comprise a head used as a hitting surface positioned on the upper surface of a hollow body part, a head sensor that detects the vibrations due to hits to the head, and a rim sensor that detects the vibrations due to hits to the rim, allowing for the reproduction of a rim shot based on the signals detected by these two sensors.

In the structure described above, the outer circumference of the head is secured with screws that extend through the rim and into the body part. Therefore, when adjusting the tension of the head, the distance between the head and the tip of the rim changes, and playing a rim shot becomes difficult. For example, when the head is new, the distance between the upper surface of the head and the tip of the rim is relatively substantial. However, when the head stretches from use, screws that impart tension to the head are turned to maintain tension. When this is done, the distance between the tip of the rim and the upper surface of the head decreases. The changed distance makes hitting the rim with the central part of a stick while at the same time hitting the upper surface of the head with the tip of the stick in order to play a rim shot more difficult.

Furthermore, with the rim attachment structure described above, when the rim is hit strongly, the rim part is pushed downward, causing the force applied to the screws that impart tension to the head to change for a moment. The change in force tends to loosen the screws.

In addition, there is the problem that in the embodiments where the outer circumference of the head is screwed into the body part through the rim, when the rim is hit, the vibration is transmitted to the head and the head sensor detects the vibration of the head from the rim shot. It is therefore difficult to accurately detect a hit to the head and a hit to the rim independently, and a player cannot obtain the musical note intended.

In addition, a problem arises in embodiments where the head sensor is placed substantially in the center of the body part, and vibrations are detected via a cushion placed in the central part of the head. When the area directly above the cushion is hit, a larger output is detected and the detected output decreases the further away from the center the head is hit. Consequently, even if a player hits the head with the same strength, the size of the output obtained differs depending on the location of the hit. In the case of a percussion instrument, a change of the sound volume or tone quality, called a wide dynamic range, should be produced in response to the force of a hit. In the above-mentioned embodiment where the size of the vibrations that can be detected differs depending on the location of the hit, it is difficult to ensure a wide dynamic range.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present invention may be configured to address the above-mentioned problems. One embodiment comprises an electronic percussion instrument that can accurately detect the strength of a hit and is easy to play.

More particularly, an electronic percussion instrument according to a first preferred embodiment detects vibrations due to a hit and outputs a corresponding signal, and comprises a body, a head, a head support member, a hoop, and a head sensor. The body has a hollow circular cylindrical shape with a rim part on the outer circumference of the body. The head, which has an inner and an outer circumference, has a flat surface positioned lower than the upper circumference of the rim part. The head support member has a cylindrical shape and is positioned on the inner side of the cylinder formed by the body, and contacts the inner circumference of the lower surface of the head. The hoop, surrounds the outer circumference of the head and provides tension to the head. The head sensor detects the vibrations of the head. Since tension is applied to the head by the hoop, the height of the upper edge of the rim part from the upper surface of the head can be held constant because the change in height from force applied to the rim is prevented. Accordingly, a rim shot can be played more easily.

Furthermore, since the hoop is located on the inner circumference of the body, the outer circumference of the head may be made smaller. Therefore the cost of the head can be made smaller.

An electronic percussion instrument in a second preferred embodiment, comprises an electronic percussion instrument of the first embodiment, but with the upper surface of the hoop approximately flush with the upper surface of the head. Since the upper surface of the hoop is approximately flush with the upper surface of the head, the upper surface of the head and the upper surface of the hoop appear to form a uniform head surface. Accordingly, the hitting surface appears larger than the surface of the actual head and may be easier to hit.

An electronic percussion instrument in a third preferred embodiment, comprises an electronic percussion instrument of the first embodiment, but with the hoop secured by means of a plurality of bolts to a plurality of internal threads formed in a frame connected to the head support member. This can provide the advantageous result that, by adjusting the bolts, the tension imparted to the head can be easily adjusted and, since the hitting force with which the rim part is hit does not act on the hoop, the bolts do not loosen.

An electronic percussion instrument in a fourth preferred embodiment comprises an electronic percussion instrument of the third embodiment, but wherein the hoop has bolt head accommodating holes so that the heads of the bolts do not protrude from the upper surface of the hoop. This can provide the advantageous result that the head surface appears to form a uniform surface that includes the upper surface of the hoop, making use easier.

An electronic percussion instrument in a fifth preferred embodiment comprises an electronic percussion instrument of the first embodiment, but with the body and head support member formed in one body by means of resin. This can provide the advantageous result that the body and head support member can be made inexpensively.

An electronic percussion instrument in a sixth preferred embodiment comprises an electronic percussion instrument of the first embodiment, but with a rim sensor that detects the vibrations of the body in the vicinity of the head sensor. This can provide the advantageous effect that a hit to the head and hit to the rim part can each be detected independently. In former electronic percussion instruments, tension was imparted to the head by the rim, so a hit inflicted on the rim was also transmitted directly to the head, and detected by the head sensor. According to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, a hit to the rim part need not be transmitted directly to the head, leading to better detection of a hit to the rim part.

An electronic percussion instrument in a seventh preferred embodiment comprises an electronic percussion instrument of the first embodiment, but with an attaching part that holds the body part positioned on the outer circumference of the body part. Additionally, the head sensor is positioned on the side opposite the attaching part with the central part of the body interposed between. This can provide the advantageous result that the head sensor is positioned close to the player.

Accordingly, when a player holds a stick and the like in his or her hand and hits the head, there are few hits directly above the head sensor or in the vicinity thereof because the upper edge of the rim is higher than the head surface. Therefore, there is the advantageous result that the hitting force detected by the head sensor does not greatly differ depending on the hitting position, and the hitting force can be accurately detected.

Furthermore, on a drum stand, a plurality of electronic percussion instruments such as a tom and cymbal may be assembled, and the vibrations of other electronic percussion instruments that are hit are transmitted to the drum stand causing the drum stand to vibrate. Since the head sensor is placed in a position far from where the drum stand is assembled, there can be the advantageous result that the head sensor is not subjected to the influence of the vibrations transmitted via the drum stand, due to another electronic percussion instrument being hit.

An electronic percussion instrument in an eighth preferred embodiment comprises an electronic percussion instrument of the first embodiment, but wherein the head is made of mesh knitted out of vertical threads formed from synthetic resin and horizontal threads that are at an angle to those vertical threads. This can provide the advantageous result that the volume of the acoustic musical note that the head generates through vibration is small and only the musical note electronically generated by the sound source can be heard. When the hitting surface is made of rubber and the like, an unpleasant sound is generated by hitting the hitting surface, but the use of mesh can prevent the unpleasant sound.

An electronic percussion instrument in a ninth preferred embodiment comprises an electronic percussion instrument of the eighth embodiment, but wherein the head comprises two layers of mesh. This can provide the advantageous result that a strong tension can be applied to the mesh, which makes for a better feeling hitting surface, such as with regards to rebounding.

An electronic percussion instrument in a tenth embodiment comprises an electronic percussion instrument that detects vibrations due to a hit and outputs a corresponding signal, and includes a body part, a head, an attaching part, and a head sensor. The body has a hollow circular cylindrical shape with a rim part on the outer circumference of the body. The head, which has an inner and an outer circumference, has a flat surface positioned lower than the upper edge of the rim part. The attaching part holds the body part and is positioned on the outer circumference of the body part. The head sensor detects the vibration of the head and is located on the side opposite the attaching part with the central part of the cylinder of the body interposed between. Therefore, when the electronic percussion instrument is attached to the drum stand via the attaching part, the head sensor may be placed in a position close to the player.

Accordingly, when a player holds a stick and the like in his or her hand and hits the head, there may be few hits directly above the head sensor or in the vicinity thereof because the upper edge of the rim is higher than the head surface. Therefore, there can be the advantageous result that the hitting force detected by the head sensor does not greatly differ depending on the hitting position, and the hitting force can be accurately detected.

Furthermore, on a drum stand a plurality of electronic percussion instruments such as a tom and cymbal may be assembled, and the vibrations of other electronic percussion instruments that are hit may be transmitted to the drum stand causing the drum stand to vibrate. Since the head sensor is placed in a position far from the position in which the drum stand is assembled, the effect of the vibration of the drum stand on the head sensor is reduced.

An electronic percussion instrument in an eleventh preferred embodiment comprises an electronic percussion instrument of the tenth embodiment, but with a rim sensor that detects the vibrations of the body placed in the vicinity of the head sensor. This can provide the advantageous result that even when the hitting position of the head and the hitting position of the rim have been changed, the proportions or differences of the output of the rim sensor and the output of the head sensor are substantially uniform. Accordingly it can be easily determined when only the head has been hit, when only the rim has been hit, when both the rim and the head have been hit, and the like.

Furthermore, on a drum stand a plurality of electronic percussion instruments such as a tom and cymbal may be assembled, and the vibrations of other electronic percussion instruments that are hit may be transmitted to the drum stand causing the drum stand to vibrate. Since the rim sensor is placed in a position far from the position in which the drum stand is assembled, the effect of the vibration of the drum stand on the rim sensor is reduced.

An electronic percussion instrument in a twelfth preferred embodiment comprises an electronic percussion instrument of the tenth embodiment, but wherein the head is made of mesh knitted out of vertical threads formed from synthetic resin and horizontal threads that are at an angle to those vertical threads. This can provide the advantageous result that the volume of the acoustic musical note that the head generates through vibration is small and only the musical note electronically generated by the sound source can be heard. When the hitting surface is made of rubber and the like, an unpleasant sound is generated by hitting the hitting surface, but the use of mesh prevents the unpleasant noise.

An electronic percussion instrument in a thirteenth preferred embodiment, comprises an electronic percussion instrument of the twelfth embodiment, but wherein the head comprises two layers of mesh. This can provide the advantageous result that a strong tension can be applied to the mesh, which makes for a better feeling hitting surface, such as with regards to rebounding.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Below, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the attached drawings. An electronic percussion instrument1according to an example embodiment of the present invention is an electronic percussion instrument referred to as an “electronic drum” that is played using sticks and the like, provided with sensors that detect vibrations due to hits. Musical note equipment (not shown) controls a sound source based on the signals detected by the sensors and is designed so as to generate musical notes or sounds in proportion to the hits. The musical notes or sounds are output from speaker equipment via amplifier equipment.

FIG. 1is an external perspective view of an electronic percussion instrument1according to one embodiment of the present invention. The exterior of electronic percussion instrument1, as shown inFIG. 1, is provided with a body part2, a rim cover3, a hoop4, and a head5.

FIG. 2is an exploded perspective view that shows these parts in a disassembled state. By screwing in and fixing the hoop4, tension is applied to the head5and it is fixed in place. The rim cover3is fit onto the outer circumferential part2aof the body part2.

The body part2forms a framework of the electronic percussion instrument1and, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 2, is formed in an approximately hollow cylindrical shape from a resin material. The outer circumference of the body part2is formed in a cylindrical shape with the outer circumferential part2aerected almost vertically from the bottom part2g(refer toFIG. 4). The rim cover, in this embodiment, is fit on the periphery of the upper edge of the outer circumferential part2aforming the rim part.

In the inner circumference of the outer circumferential part2a, a head support member2bis formed as one unit, with the bottom part2gand the outer circumference part2a, and is arranged in a standing manner from the bottom part2g. The unit forms a cylindrical shape of concentric circles with the outer circumference part2a. The head support member2bis supported by a plurality of ribs2d, in this embodiment, arranged in a standing manner perpendicular to the bottom part2g. The ribs2dare formed in the body part2as shapes radiating from the central direction of the cylinder. Furthermore, in the central part of the cylinder of the bottom part2g, circular holes2hare formed and the air inside the body part2can freely go outside.

The lower surface of the head5contacts the upper edge circumference of the head support member2b, and the ring shaped hoop4surrounds the outer circumference of the head while imparting tension to the head5.

The rim cover3, in this embodiment, comprises a cylindrical shaped cover made of rubber, soft plastic, or the like, fit onto the upper edge of the perimeter of the body part2. The rubber makes hitting the rim with the shaft and the like of a stick feel softer because the rubber covering is more flexible than the body part2, which is made of hard resin. Furthermore, the rim part corresponds to the part comprising the rim cover3and the outer circumference part2a.

The hoop4, in this embodiment, comprises the bolt holes4binto which the joining bolts7are inserted, and the bolt head accommodating holes4c(or recesses) that receive the heads of the joining bolts7. The bolt holes4band bolt head accommodating holes4cdivide the circumference of the hoop4into a plurality (for example six) equal parts on the hoop main body4athat contacts the ring shaped head framework5bof the head5. Furthermore, internal threads2e, into which the joining bolts7are screwed, are positioned on the bottom of the head part2, between the head support member2band the outer circumference part2a, dividing the circumference of the head part2into a plurality (for example six) equal parts (refer toFIG. 3).

The head5, in this embodiment, comprises a hitting surface member5acomprising of film shaped material formed from synthetic resin and a mesh shaped material knitted out of synthetic fibers bonded to a head framework5b. The head framework5bhas a ring shape and is composed of a metal material or the like. The hitting surface member5ais hit by sticks and the like.

The joining bolts7, in this embodiment, are made of steel, join the hoop4to the body part2by screwing them together, and impart tension to the head5through the hoop4.

In this embodiment, when assembling the head5in an electronic percussion instrument1, first, place the head5(FIG. 1upper side) on the head support member2blocated on the upper side of the body part2. Next, insert the respective joining bolts7into the bolt holes4b, overlay the hoop4so as to cover the head framework5bof the head5, and screw each joining bolt7into the internal threads2e.

According to this embodiment, the head5is sandwiched between the hoop4and the head support member2bproviding support. The tension imparted to the head5can be adjusted by tightening the joining bolts7. Furthermore, when a rim shot takes place, because the upper edge of the outer circumferential part2ais hit and the hoop is not hit directly, the joining bolts7do not loosen.

The body part2, in one embodiment, has an attaching part2cprotruding from the body for attaching a stand and the like (FIG. 2lower part). A rod hole2ffor receiving a rod-shaped support portion of a stand is inserted therein. A mechanism, such as a threaded set screw may extend into the hole2fto frictionally engage the inserted rod and inhibit relative movement between the rod and the body part2. A handle8may be provided for allowing a user to manually drive that mechanism. This handle is devised so that, when it is turned to the right the rod inserted into the rod hole2fis held and, when it is turned to the left the rod is released.

A head sensor21and a rim sensor31, in one embodiment, are positioned in the inner side of the cylinder that the head support member2bforms, opposite the attaching part2c. The central axis of the cylinder that the body part2forms is between the attaching part2cand the head sensor21and rim sensor31. The head sensor21is bonded to the top of the support plate11extending above two supports positioned in a standing manner with respect to the bottom2g(refer toFIG. 3), and the rim sensor31is bonded to the bottom part2g.

FIG. 3is a plan view that shows an electronic percussion instrument1, when the hoop4and the head5are removed. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 3, at the upper left side of the center of the body part2, a stereo jack9is provided in order to output the electric signals detected by the head sensor21and the rim sensor31. The electric signals detected by the head sensor21and the rim sensor31are each independently output by means of a stereo plug inserted into this stereo jack.

FIG. 4is a cross-sectional view, cut at a plane perpendicular to the hitting surface5aof the head5, through the shaft centers of joining bolts7of an electronic percussion instrument1.FIG. 4(a) is the plan view that shows the position of the cross-section shown in (b), andFIG. 4(b) is that cross-sectional view.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 4(b), the rim cover3is mated to the upper edge of the body part2, and the hitting surface5ais placed lower than the upper edge of that rim cover. The head framework5bcontacts the hoop main body4a, and the hoop4is pressed down by screwing joining bolts7into the internal threads2e.

In this embodiment, the upper surface of the head5and the upper surface of the hoop4are approximately flush when assembled. Therefore the hitting surface looks uniform at the upper surface of the head5and the upper surface of the hoop4, making the player feel like the hitting area is larger and therefore easier to play.

Furthermore, the bolt holes4binto which the joining bolts7are inserted divide the circumference of the hoop4into a plurality (such as six) equal divisions in this embodiment. The bolt head accommodating holes4cthat accommodate the heads of the joining bolts7in the upper part of the bolt holes4b, prevent the heads of the joining bolts7from protruding from the upper surface of the hoop4. Therefore, the hitting surface appears larger.

In a preferred embodiment, the hitting surface member5ais made of a mesh material bonded to a head framework5bthat has a ring shape. As shown inFIG. 4, since the head framework5bis fit onto the outer circumference of the head support member2b, the hitting surface member5aextends to the upper edge surface (FIG. 4upper side) of the body part2. The head sensor21contacts the bottom surface (FIG. 4lower side surface) of the extended hitting surface member5a.

In the embodiment described above where the hitting surface member5ais comprised of a mesh material, the air resistance of the hitting surface is reduced. This has the advantageous result that the hitting surface feels better when hit by means of sticks and the like, yet the acoustic sound emanating from the hitting surface is reduced, for example, so only the musical note from the speaker equipment may be heard by the player. Examples of heads made of multiple layers of mesh material are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,920,026, which is incorporated herein by reference. Other suitable mesh head materials have been sold in the United States by Roland Corporation with and for certain products in Roland's V-drum™ line of electronic percussion instruments.

Furthermore, since the vibrations of the hitting surface member5adue to a hit propagate only within the hitting surface member Sa, the influence of that vibration is not substantially imparted to the body part2. Therefore, such vibrations of the hitting surface member5aare only detected by the head sensor21and are not mistakenly detected by the rim sensor31. Furthermore, the tension of the hitting surface member5acan be arbitrarily adjusted to accommodate the playing method of the user by changing the degree to which the jointing bolts7are screwed into the internal threads2e.

Next, an example embodiment of the head sensor21and the rim sensor31will be explained with reference to the embodiment shown inFIG. 5.FIG. 5(a) is a plan view that shows the position of the cross-section shown in (b), andFIG. 5(b) is that cross-sectional view.

The head sensor21comprises a sensor device used for detecting the vibrations of the head5and, in one embodiment, comprises a piezoelectric device22and cushioned double-sided tape. The piezoelectric device22and the like may be covered by a cushion member23. The piezoelectric device22is a vibration detection sensor that converts piezo and the like vibrations to electric signals. The piezoelectric device22may be formed in a disk shaped body and has an output signal line (not shown). The upper and lower surfaces of the piezoelectric device22, the cushioning member23, and the cushioned double-sided tape are each attached by a suitable adhesive material.

The output signal line is connected to the stereo jack9(refer toFIG. 3), and the electric signal from the piezoelectric device22may be output to a musical note device (not shown) via the stereo jack9.

The cushioned double-sided tape, in a preferred embodiment, has adhesive material for adhering the piezoelectric device22to the support plate11and comprises double-sided tape with an adhesive layer laminated on the upper and lower surfaces of a cushioning layer. In this embodiment the cushioned double-sided tape is formed in approximately a disk shape, and the piezoelectric device22is stuck to the support plate11by means of this cushioned double-sided tape.

The cushion member23transmits vibrations from the head5to the piezoelectric device22. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5b, the cushion member23may comprise an approximately cylindrical shaped elastic member made of polyurethane foam or other suitable sponge-like material, or the like. The cushion member23is stuck to the piezoelectric device22and in one embodiment has a diameter larger than that of the piezoelectric device22. The cushion member is positioned so that the upper surface of the cylindrically shaped body of the cushion member contacts the lower surface of the head5(hitting surface member5a).

A head sensor21may be secured to the top of a support member11by cushioned double-sided tape, with the upper surface of the cushion member23in contact with the lower surface of the head.

The rim sensor31, in one embodiment, comprises a sensing device used to detect the vibrations of the outer circumferential part2aof the body part2and, similar to the above mentioned embodiment of the head sensor21, has a piezoelectric device as a vibration detection sensor and cushioned double-sided tape for the purpose of securing the piezoelectric device to the bottom part2g. An explanation of the piezoelectric device and cushioned double-sided tape and the like is omitted because it is the same description as that of the head sensor21.

In one embodiment the rim sensor31is secured to the upper side of the bottom part2gby means of cushioned double-sided tape. The secured position of this rim sensor31is in the vicinity of the head sensor21and is a position on the side opposite the attaching part2cwith the central axis of the cylinder that forms the body part2interposed in between.

In the above mentioned embodiment, the rim part formed in the body part2does not have to impart tension to the head5(which is provided by a hoop4that is a separate member), so the height of the upper edge of the rim part from the upper surface of the head5may be uniform and constant. Therefore a rim shot can more easily be played.

In prior embodiments where the outer circumference of the head5is surrounded by the rim part, the vibration from a rim shot propagated to the head5may be mistakenly detected by the head sensor. In the above mentioned embodiment of the present invention, the rim part does not directly touch the head5, preventing false detection of a rim shot by the head sensor.

An explanation of the present invention was given above of the present invention based on several preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is in no way limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Various modifications and changes that do not deviate from and are within the scope of the essentials of the present invention can be easily surmised

For example, in the preferred embodiments described above, the rim part comprises a rubber rim cover3that fits on to the outer circumferential part2abut the rim cover3may also be omitted.