Drumstick gripping aid

The present invention is directed to a drumstick gripping aid. In one embodiment, the drumstick gripping aid includes a first strap having two loops and a second strap having one loop interconnected thereto. The first strap is adapted to fit about at least two fingers of a user while the second strap is adapted to fit about an outer circumference of a drumstick. In another embodiment, a drumstick gripping aid includes a single strap having two loops. In one variation, a first loop is adapted to fit about one finger of a user while a second loop is adapted to fit about an outer circumference of a drumstick. In another variation, the first loop and the second loop are adapted to fit about at least two fingers of a user, the drumstick gripping aid fixedly attached to a drumstick.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

At least one feature pertains to a gripping aid designed to hold drumsticks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A great number of people enjoy drums and drumming as their instrument of choice when it comes to music. Drums are a part of all music, from classical to rock and ancient to contemporary, as it forms the rhythm and thus basis for all music. Generally, drums are played by repeatedly striking a drumhead with a drumstick. While such an action sounds basic, it is not without its nuances. First, the mechanical action of hitting a drumhead requires that one plays the drum for extended periods of time. As a result, various aches, pains, and even repetitive stress injuries can occur. Second, drumsticks are prone to being dropped during play, resulting in a disjointed performance that is less than stellar. Finally, drummers are in a continuous search for a means of displaying stage presence, such as by twirling their drumsticks. However, this twirling is exceedingly difficult and if the drumsticks should be dropped during such a display, the drummer runs the risk of exposing himself to ridicule.

Consequently, a device which addresses the problems as previously described is needed.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a drumstick gripping aid for holding drumsticks in order to reduce muscle stress and/or strain, substantially or completely eliminate stick dropping and/or slippage, and increase drumstick twirling ability. In one embodiment, the drumstick gripping aid comprises a first strap, having a first loop and a second loop approximately situated within the same plane and adapted to position about two fingers of a user, and a second strap having a single loop interconnected, and situated approximately perpendicular, to the first strap at a median portion thereof. The second strap further comprises a neck portion, having a first end and a second end, extending through an opening in the median portion of the first strap, the single loop attached to the first end of the neck portion and a retaining pin attached to the second end of the neck portion for retaining the first strap to the second strap.

In another embodiment, a drumstick gripping aid includes a first strap interconnected to a second strap through an opening in the first strap. The first strap includes a single (or first) loop to fit about one finger of a user and the second strap includes a single (or second) loop, adapted to fit about an outer circumference of a drumstick. First strap may be positioned approximately degrees relative to second strap, or vice-versa.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention are directed to grip assist devices or drumstick gripping aids (hereinafter used interchangeably) and methods of use thereof. In one embodiment, a drumstick gripping aid includes a first strap having two loops and a second strap having one loop interconnected thereto. The two loops of the first strap are adapted to fit about at least two fingers of a user while the second strap is adapted to fit about an outer circumference of a drumstick. In another embodiment, a drumstick gripping aid includes a first strap, having a single first loop adapted to fit about one finger of a user, and a second strap having a single second loop adapted to fit about an outer circumference of a drumstick. The drumstick gripping aid according to embodiments of the invention is designed to hold drumsticks in order to reduce muscle stress and/or strain, substantially or completely eliminate stick dropping and/or slippage, and increase drumstick twirling ability.

FIG. 1illustrates a perspective view of a drumstick gripping aid according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown, drumstick gripping aid100includes a first strap102having a first loop104and a second loop106interconnected to a second strap108having a single loop110, a neck portion (not shown, seeFIGS. 2C-2D, neck portion212) and a retaining pin114. Second strap108may be interconnected to first strap102at a median portion116of first strap102. In one embodiment, an opening118, which includes two openings (not shown, seeFIGS. 2A-2B,218aand218b), passes through median portion116of first strap102. Opening118is configured to retain second strap108at neck portion. More particularly, in the case in which retaining pin114is approximately ball-shaped, retaining pin114may have a larger circumference relative to a circumference of opening118. As a result, once retaining pin114and neck portion of second strap108pass (or extend) through opening118, second strap108is interconnected to first strap102and substantially or completely retained thereto. Additionally, the passing through of second strap108through opening118forms first and second loops104,106of first strap102.

FIG. 2Aillustrates a top view of a first strap of a drumstick gripping aid according to an embodiment of the invention. First strap202may have a flattened loop configuration; however, other suitable configurations are within the scope of the invention. In the embodiment shown, first strap202has a flattened loop configuration having a top portion202aand a bottom portion202b(not shown, seeFIG. 2B). First strap202may have a length of between about two (2) inches and about five (5) inches, preferably approximately about three (3) inches. First strap202may have a width of between about one-half (½) of an inch and about two (2) inches, preferably about three-fourths (¾) of an inch. In any embodiment, the width of first strap202should be wide enough to provide adequate support for a user's fingers (explained in more detail below) yet sufficiently narrow so as not to interfere with the user's fingers (explained in more detail below). Similarly, the length of first strap202should be long enough to provide at least two loops to comfortably fit about a user's fingers (explained in more detail below) yet sufficiently short so as to provide a gripping function (explained in more detail below). First strap202includes an opening218which includes openings218a(on top portion202a) and218b(on bottom portion202b, seeFIG. 2B) at a median portion216of first strap202. Opening218may have a diameter of between about one-tenth ( 1/10) of an inch and about one-half (½) of an inch, preferably about one-fifth (⅕) of an inch.

FIG. 2Billustrates a side view of first strap202ofFIG. 2A. According to this embodiment, median portion216of top portion202aof first strap202is thicker relative to the remaining portions of first strap202. This feature provides added reinforcement to drumstick gripping aid. More particularly, the thicker median portion216stiffens the area around opening218to substantially or completely retain a second strap therethrough (seeFIG. 2C). Additionally, the thicker median portion216substantially or completely reduces enlargement of opening218which may occur during repeated use of drumstick gripping aid200. Also shown inFIG. 2Bis bottom portion202bof first strap202and opening218, i.e., openings218a,218b.

FIG. 2Cillustrates a front view of a second strap of a drumstick gripping aid according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown, second strap208includes a loop portion210, a neck portion212, having a first end213and a second end215, and a retaining pin214. Loop portion210may have a diameter of between about 0.25 inches and about one (1) inch, preferably about one-half (½) of an inch and is integrally connected to the first end213of the neck portion212. In any embodiment, loop portion210should have a diameter suitable for fitting about an outside circumference of a drumstick. Neck portion212, which may have a cylindrical configuration, may have a thickness of about 0.125 inches. In any embodiment, neck portion212should have a smaller diameter relative to a diameter of opening218of first strap202(seeFIG. 2B). Retaining pin214, which may have a ball-like configuration, may have a diameter of about 0.25 inches at its thickest portion and is integrally connected to the second end215of the neck portion212. In any embodiment, retaining pin214should have a larger diameter relative to a diameter of opening218of first strap202(seeFIG. 2B).FIG. 2Dillustrates a side view of second strap208ofFIG. 2C.FIG. 2Eillustrates a side view of a drumstick gripping aid having first strap202and second strap208interconnected as previously described.

Generally, a drumstick gripping aid according to embodiments of the invention may be manufactured by methods such as rubber extrusion and cutting, plastic injection molding and mass production assembly techniques such as those known by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, in one embodiment, both first strap202and second strap208may be made of rubber or any other suitable material with similar characteristics to that of rubber. In another embodiment, second strap208may be made of a combination of rubber and plastic materials. For example, loop portion210may be of a rubber material while neck portion212and/or retaining pin214may be made of a plastic material or a rubber material.

According to embodiments of the invention as previously described, a drumstick gripping aid may provide a means by which drumsticks can be carefully and comfortably held while simultaneously increasing playing ability, duration and visual expression without the disadvantages as described in the Background of Invention. According to one method, a user may position the second strap208of the drumstick gripping aid on a drumstick (seeFIG. 3A) followed by positioning of the first strap202on at least two adjacent fingers (preferably the index and middle fingers) of the hand of the user (seeFIG. 3B); or vice-versa. This process may be repeated for a second drumstick/second hand. As a result, the drumstick(s) is/are free to move about in the user's hands, yet the drumstick(s) is/are tightly tethered to the user's hand if the user's grip partially or completely opens and/or relaxes. Additionally, the drumstick can be easily twirled about by the user due to the pivoting arrangement provided by the drumstick griping aid without fear of dropping it. Additional benefits include relief of fatigue build-up in fingers; increased relaxation of the hand; and better stick control resulting in less broken drumsticks. Moreover, it is anticipated that the drumstick gripping aid according to embodiments of the invention will not affect the performance of the sound of the drums.

FIGS. 4A-4Billustrate a drumstick gripping aid according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. As shown, a drumstick gripping aid400includes a first strap402interconnected to a second strap404through an opening in the first strap402. The first strap402includes a single (or first) loop406adapted to fit about one finger of a user and the second strap404includes a single (or second) loop, adapted to fit about an outer circumference of a drumstick408. First strap402may be positioned approximately 90 degrees relative to second strap404, or vice-versa. Both first strap402and second strap404may be made of rubber or any other suitable material with similar characteristics to that of rubber.

One or more of the components and functions illustrated inFIGS. 1-4Bmay be rearranged and/or combined into a single component or embodied in several components without departing from the invention. Additional elements or components may also be added without departing from the invention.