Acoustic drum kit, and ensemble of musical instruments comprising such an acoustic drum kit

An acoustic drum kit including a bass drum, a snare drum and a hi-hat stand, the base drum including two parts that are movable with respect to one another between a spaced-apart position, in which the snare drum is fixed removably to the bass drum and to the hi-hat stand such that the drum kit is in a playing configuration, and a compact position, in which the snare drum and the hi-hat stand are housed inside the bass drum, between the two parts thereof, such that the drum kit is in a storage and transport configuration.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit under 35 USC §371 of PCT Application No. PCT/EP2015/055330 entitled ACOUSTIC DRUM KIT, AND ENSEMBLE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING SUCH AN ACOUSTIC DRUM KIT, filed on Mar. 13, 2015 by inventor Dario Pinelli. PCT Application No. PCT/EP2015/055330 claims priority of Italian Patent Application No. TA2014U000003 entitled ACOUSTIC DRUM KIT, AND ENSEMBLE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING SUCH AN ACOUSTIC DRUM KIT and filed on Mar. 27, 2014 by inventor Dario Pinelli.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an acoustic drum kit, as well as an ensemble of musical instruments comprising such an acoustic drum kit.

The invention relates to the field of musical instruments, more particularly percussion instruments, for both professional and recreational use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In this field, it is known that an acoustic drum kit is an ensemble of percussion instruments which, in a typical form, includes, or even consists of, a bass drum, a snare drum and a high hat, i.e., a pair of cymbals attached to a foot pedal. Such a drum kit is, due to the cumulative bulk of the instruments making it up, difficult to store and even more difficult to transport, with a significant transport cost when the drummer travels by plane and wishes to take his drum kit with him.

To overcome this issue, electronic drums kits exist, comprising flat pancake-shaped panels, commonly called “pads”, that more or less reproduce the feel of an acoustic drum kit, but without producing the volume thereof, the vibrations caused by striking these panels having to be amplified by ad hoc electronic devices. Once stored, these panels take up less space than the instruments making up an acoustic drum kit, such that the electronic drum kit is easier to transport. The price of such an electronic drum kit is high, however, and above all, electronic drum kits do not produce the same sound effects or the same sensations as playing an acoustic drum kit.

SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION

The aim of the present invention is to propose an acoustic drum kit that is easy and practical to store and transport, while producing high quality sound.

To that end, the invention relates to an acoustic drum kit, including a bass drum, including two parts that are movable with respect to one another between a spaced-apart position and a compact position, and attachments, a snare drum having a globally parallelepiped outer shape, including first and second attachments, the second attachments being separate from the first attachments, and a hi-hat stand, including a base having a globally parallelepiped outer shape, the base including attachments, wherein when the two parts of the bass are in the spaced-apart position, the two parts of the bass drum jointly give the bass drum a globally parallelepiped outer shape and jointly define between them a free bass drum resonance volume that is substantially parallelepiped, and the snare drum is removably fastened to the base drum and to the base of the hi-hat stand such that the acoustic drum kit is in a playing configuration, wherein when the two parts of the bass drum are in the compact position, the two parts of the bass drum jointly give the bass drum a globally parallelepiped outer shape and jointly define between them a housing volume which is substantially parallelepiped, which is smaller than the bass drum resonance volume, and which is occupied by the hi-hat stand and the snare drum that is housed inside the base of the hi-hat stand, such that the acoustic drum kit is in a storage and transport configuration, wherein the attachments of the bass drum and the first attachments of the snare drum removably fasten the snare drum on the bass drum in the playing configuration of the acoustic drum kit, and wherein the attachments of the base of the hi-hat stand and the second attachments of the snare drum removably fasten the snare drum on the base of the hi-hat stand in the playing configuration of the acoustic drum kit.

One of the ideas at the base of the invention is to use a bass drum wisely as a housing for a snare drum and a hi-hat stand when one wishes to store and transport the corresponding acoustic drum kit. To that end, the bass drum comprises two parts that can be moved relative to one another. In a spaced-apart position of these two parts of the bass drum, the latter can be used as a percussion instrument, while being empty inside to define a bass drum resonance volume therein, and it serves as a removable fastening support for the snare drum, the latter also being fastened removably to the hi-hat stand: the bass drum, the snare drum and the hi-hat stand are then in a playing configuration, while being arranged relative to one another similarly to an acoustic drum kit of the prior art. To be able to play the drum kit according to the invention, in the playing configuration, the drummer associates it with a pair of cymbals and a bass drum pedal, which are known as such, for example being commercially available, and that must respectively be attached on the hi-hat stand and the bass drum, the drummer using a pair of drum sticks or brushes to play, as is known in itself and commercially available. In a first compact position of the two parts of the bass drum, the snare drum and the hi-hat stand are arranged inside the bass drum, while being housed between the two parts of said bass drum, the drum kit then being in the storage and transport configuration, taking up a particularly small total volume. In particular, the drum kit according to the invention, in its storage and transport configuration, advantageously complies with the common dimensional requirements for carry-on luggage allowed by well-known airlines, while also complying with the associated weight requirements: thus, owing to the invention, a drummer can travel by plane while keeping the drum kit according to the invention with him as carry-on luggage. In practice, the transition of the drum kit according to the invention between the playing configuration and the storage and transport configuration is done easily and in a very short amount of time, i.e., several tens of seconds.

The invention also relates to an ensemble of musical instruments, including an acoustic drum kit as defined above, a bass drum pedal, a pair of hi-hat cymbals, and a pair of drumsticks or brushes.

Additional advantageous features of the acoustic drum kit and ensemble of musical instruments according to the invention are given in the description below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-11show an acoustic drum kit1comprising three main components, namely a bass drum10, a snare drum20and a hi-hat stand30. Hereinafter, these components will successively be described in detail.

InFIGS. 3-7, the bass drum10, the snare drum20and the hi-hat stand30are assembled such that the drum kit1is in a playing configuration, i.e., a configuration in which the user of the drum kit, in other words a drummer, can play the drum kit1in the same way as with an acoustic drum kit of the prior art. InFIG. 11, the bass drum10, the snare drum20and the hi-hat stand30are arranged relative to one another such that the drum kit1is in a storage and transport configuration, the drum kit1going from its playing configuration ofFIGS. 3-7to its storage and transport configuration ofFIG. 11, through the intermediate progressive storage configurations, shown inFIGS. 8-10. InFIGS. 1 and 2, the snare drum20, the components of the bass drum10, provided to be disassembled by the user, and the components of the hi-hat stand, provided to be disassembled by the user, are shown separately from one another.

For convenience, the rest of the description is oriented relative to the player of the drum kit1when the latter is in the playing configuration and resting on a floor considered to be horizontal.

The bass drum10includes two main parts, i.e., a front part11and a rear part12, that each substantially corresponds to half of the bass drum10. The parts11and12of the bass drum10are made in the form of two separate pieces, which are movable relative to one another, or even separable from one another for practical reasons, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

As clearly shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the front part11comprises a front main panel13and two side panels14, left and right, respectively. Each of the panels13and14is substantially planar. The panels13and14are fixedly permanently secured to one another, using any appropriate means.

The side panels14extend toward the rear from the opposite side edges of the front panel13, substantially perpendicular to the front panel13. In sectional view in a horizontal plane, the front panel13and the side panels14jointly have a U-shaped profile turned toward the rear.

The panels13and14have a same vertical dimension, their upper edge being flush with one of the others and their lower edge also being flush with one of the others.

In the playing configuration of the drum kit1, the respective lower edges of the panels13and14of the front part11bear on the floor, stably and autonomously for the front part11of the bass drum10, due to the aforementioned U-shaped profile. The front panel13is provided, on its lower edge, with an attachment member15for a bass drum pedal, not shown in the figures, provided to be controlled by the drummer's right foot. This panel must be attached to the bass drum10to allow the drummer to strike the front face of the panel13using an ad hoc hammer of the pedal. Such a bass drum pedal is known in itself and commercially available as an accessory for the acoustic drum kits of the prior art. As a non-limiting example, the attachment member15consists of a plate provided with a nonslip coating, for example rubber or the like, guaranteeing good retention of the bass drum pedal: in the playing configuration of the drum kit1, this plate protrudes toward the front of the lower edge of the panel13, this plate advantageously being retractable, at least in part, toward the rear, in particular into the thickness of the panel13, in the storage and transport configuration of the drum kit1.

As clearly shown inFIGS. 1 and 4, the front face of the panel13is provided with felt16or the like, arranged such that the hammer of the bass drum pedal strikes the panel13at that felt, thus damping the sound attack and darkening the resulting sound. The felt16also provides a visual indication of the zone of the panel13provided to be struck by the hammer of the bass drum pedal.

As clearly shown inFIG. 2, the front panel13is provided, on its rear face, with a moving panel17, which is substantially planar and which is brought to the upper end of the panel13so as to tilt around a horizontal geometric axis Y-Y. The interest of this tilting panel17will appear later.

As clearly shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the rear part12of the bass drum10includes a rear main panel18and two side panels19, left and right, respectively. Each of the panels18and19is substantially planar. The panels18and19are fixedly permanently secured to one another, using any appropriate means.

The side panels19extend toward the front from the opposite side edges of the rear panel18, respectively, perpendicular to the latter. Thus, in horizontal sectional view, the panels18and19jointly give the rear part12of the bass drum10a U-shaped profile turned toward the front. The horizontal separation, denoted e12inFIG. 1, between the respective faces of the side panels19, turned opposite the rear panel18, is provided to be equal to or slightly smaller than the horizontal separation, denoted e11inFIG. 1, between the respective faces of the side panels14of the front part11, turned toward the front panel13: thus, as shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, the rear part12forms a male part, sized to be nested in the front part11, which thus forms a complementary female part, this nesting between the parts11and12consisting of arranging the panels19between the panels14in an adjusted manner.

The panels18and19of the rear part12have a same vertical dimension, which is substantially equal to that of the panel13and14of the front part11. The respective upper edges of the panels18and19are flush with one another. Likewise, the respective lower edges of the panels18and19are flush with one another, these lower edges bearing on the floor in the playing configuration of the drum kit1, stably and autonomously for the rear part12due to its U-shaped profile.

The rear panel18defines a through opening18A, thus connecting the front and rear faces of the panel18to one another.

As clearly shown inFIG. 2, the front face of the rear panel18is provided, at its upper end, with two protruding lugs110or, more generally, with at least one protruding relief, the interest of which will appear later.

The front11and rear12parts of the bass drum10are designed so as, subject to their relative movement, to be fixedly assembled to one another in two different positions, i.e., a separated position, which is shown inFIGS. 1 to 6and which is associated with the playing configuration of the drum kit1, and a compact position, which is shown inFIG. 11and which is associated with the storage and transport configuration of the drum kit. When the front11and rear12parts of the bass drum10are in the spaced-apart position, the rear part12is only partially nested in the front part11, inasmuch as only the respective free end parts of the panels19of the rear part12are arranged between the panel14of the front part11, as clearly shown inFIGS. 4-6, whereas when the front11and rear12parts of the bass drum10are in the compact position, the rear part12is completely nested in the front part11, in that a larger part of the panels19is arranged between the panels14than in the spaced-apart position, or all of the panels19as well as the panel18are arranged between the panels14, as shown inFIG. 11.

In both positions, i.e., in the spaced-apart position and in the compact position, the upper edges of the panels13and14of the front part11are flush with the upper edges of the panels18and19of the rear part12, and the lower edges of the panels13and14are flush with the lower edges of the panels18and19: thus, in the two relative positions of the parts11and12of the bass drum10, these parts11and12jointly give the bass drum10a globally parallelepiped outer shape, the lateral horizontal dimension of the parallelepiped shape associated with the first spaced-apart position being strictly larger than that of the parallelepiped shape associated with the compact position, as clearly shown by comparison betweenFIGS. 3 and 11. According to a preferred dimensioning, this parallelepiped outer shape measures 30 cm×45 cm×18 cm when the parts11and12are in the compact position, which complies with the common dimensional requirements for carry-on luggage by major airlines.

Furthermore, in both the spaced-apart position and the compact position of the parts11and12of the bass drum10, the panels13,14,18and19of these parts11and12jointly define a substantially parallelepiped inner volume between them, the inner volume associated with the spaced-apart position being larger than that associated with the compact position. As explained below, this inner volume is provided so as, in the compact position of the parts11and12of the bass drum10, to be occupied, in large part or almost in full, by the snare drum20and the hi-hat stand30in the storage and transport configuration of the drum kit1. Conversely, in the playing configuration of the drum kit1, the inner volume defined by the panels of the parts11and12in the spaced-apart position is provided to be free, forming a bass drum resonance volume, referenced V10inFIG. 6: it will be understood that this bass drum resonance volume V10is defined, at the front, by the panel13, which thus forms a striking panel, and at the rear, by the panel18, which forms an output panel for the sound via its opening18A.

In order to keep the parts11and12of the bass drum10in position relative to one another in each of the spaced-apart and compact positions, the parts11and12are provided with ad hoc means making it possible to assemble these parts to one another securely, selectively in the spaced-apart position and the compact position. As an example implemented in the figures, these assembly means comprise two tappings111, respectively provided in the side panels19of the part12, and two butterfly screws112, complementary to the tappings111. Each butterfly screw112is able to be inserted through the through holes113defined by the side walls14of the part11: each panel14is provided with two of these through holes113, arranged so as to be aligned with the tappings111of the panel opposite19in the spaced-apart position and the compact position, respectively, as shown by comparingFIGS. 3 and 11. Of course, other embodiments of these assembly means can be considered, in particular able to be actuated without tools.

The panels13,14,18and19are advantageously made from wood, in particular multilayer wood, particularly with a base of poplar and such as plywood. In order to benefit from a high sound quality, the front panel13includes both in the front, a striking plate13.1, which is thinner than the other panels of the bass drum10and the front face of which is made from Tanganyika walnut, and in at the rear, a frame13.2, which borders the periphery of the rear face of the striking plate13.1and to which the side panels14are secured, as clearly shown inFIG. 2.

As indicated above, the panel17is mounted tilting relative to the panel13of the front part11, around the axis Y-Y. This panel17can thus be tilted between a service position, shown inFIGS. 3-6, and a storage position, shown inFIGS. 9-11and shown in solid lines inFIG. 2. The panel17shown in dotted lines inFIG. 2occupies an intermediate tilted position between the service position and the storage position. In the service position, the panel17extends horizontally, in other words perpendicular to the front panel13, while thus being deployed relative to the latter, whereas, in the storage position, the panel17extends vertically and is retracted, while being pressed against the rear face of the front panel13. Under the effect of gravity, the panel17tends to occupy the storage position, the lifting of the panel from the storage position to the service position being done manually by the user during the assembly of the drum kit1. When the parts11and12of the bass drum10are in the spaced-apart position, the panel17is kept in its service position by cooperation with the rear part12: in the example embodiment considered in the figures, the panel17is thus maintained in its service position by gravitational bearing of its free end on the protruding lugs110from the front face of the rear panel18of the part12, as shown inFIG. 6, the panel17being dimensioned to nest between the side panels19, as shown inFIG. 5. Thus, one will understand that the panel17in the service position closes the upper side of the bass drum resonance volume V10.

The panel17is advantageously made from wood, in particular multilayer wood, such as plywood. This panel17can be provided to be solid or, according to one particularly advantageous embodiment, which is also implemented in the example considered in the figures, the panel17includes, on its side turned upward in the service position, a striking plate17.1, which is thinner than the rest of the panel17and whereof the face turned upward is made from Tanganyika walnut. The panel17then also includes, on its side opposite the striking plate17.1, a sound outlet plate17.2defining a through opening17A, visible inFIG. 6. This opening17A emerges downward in the bass drum resonance volume V10when the panel is in the service position, and it emerges upward in a free volume defined by the panel17between its plates17.1and17.2, for example in the thickness of the plate17.2. This free volume constitutes a tom-tom resonance volume inasmuch as, in the playing configuration of the drum kit1, the drummer obtains a tom-tom sound by striking, using the drumsticks or brushes, the plate17.1of the panel17in the service position. More generally, it will be understood that in a way, the drum kit1thus includes an additional percussion instrument, i.e., a tom-tom, without increasing the overall bulk of the drum kit due to the integration of this tom-tom into the bass drum10, more specifically the part11thereof, in the form of the panel17.

The snare drum20comprises two parallel main panels, i.e., an upper panel21and a lower panel22. The respective peripheries of the upper21and lower22panels are connected to one another by a front panel23, a rear panel24and side panels25, left and right, respectively. The panels21-25are substantially planar and are fixedly permanently secured to one another, using any appropriate means.

As shown inFIGS. 1-6, the panels21-25give the snare drum20a globally parallelepiped outer shape. According to one preferred dimensioning, this parallelepiped outer shape measures 23.3 cm×25.5 cm×9.7 cm.

The panels21-25jointly define an inner volume between them, substantially parallelepiped, of the snare drum20, making up a free snare drum resonance volume V20. This snare drum resonance volume V20is upwardly defined by the upper panel21, which thus forms a striking panel on the upper face of which the drummer strikes the drumsticks or brushes in the playing configuration of the drum kit1. In order for the sound produced in the resonance volume V20to be characteristic of that of a snare drum, the upper panel21is, on its lower face, provided with snares26that vibrate when the upper face of the panel21is struck. In the example embodiment considered in the figures, two snares26are provided, in the form of two groups of metal wires, one of the ends of which is respectively fastened to the side panels25. The snare drum resonance volume V20is downwardly defined by the lower panel22, which forms a sound outlet panel via a through opening22A defined by that panel22.

The panels21-25are advantageously made from wood, in particular multilayer wood, particularly with a base of poplar and such as plywood. In order to obtain a good sound quality, the upper face of the panel21is made from Tanganyika walnut.

As shown inFIGS. 3-7, the snare drum20is fastened on the bass drum10in the playing configuration of the drum kit1. More specifically, the lower panel22of the snare drum20is fastened to the panel17, in the service position, of the bass drum10, a right part of the lower face of this panel22resting on only part of the upper face of this panel17. The panel22of the snare drum20and the panel17of the bass drum10are provided with corresponding attachments for removable fastening, able to keep the snare drum20in place on the bass drum10in the playing configuration of the drum kit1while the drummer plays the drum kit. In the example embodiment considered in the figures, these attachments for removable fastening comprise a magnetized pin114, arranged securely protruding from the panel17, in the zone of that panel to be covered by the snare drum20, and a recess with a ferromagnetic bottom27, complementary to the pin114and defined by the panel22: in the playing configuration of the drum kit1, the pin114is received in the recess27and is placed in contact with the bottom of that recess, thereby locking the snare drum20and the bass drum10in position relative to one another, both by shape matching between the pin114and the recess27and by magnetic locking between said pin and the bottom of this recess. Of course, other embodiments can be considered for the attachments between the snare drum20and the bass drum10, as long as these attachments keep the snare drum and the bass drum in place in the playing configuration of the drum kit1while the drummer plays, while allowing, in particular without tools, the separation of the snare drum and the bass drum from one another in order to transition the drum kit from the playing configuration to the storage and transport configuration.

According to one advantageous arrangement, which is implemented in the example embodiment considered in the figures, two recesses27are provided, as clearly shown inFIG. 2: in this way, during the assembly of the bass drum10and the snare drum20to one another to place the drum kit1in its playing configuration, the user chooses, from among the two available recesses, the recess27actually receiving the pin114, these two recesses thus respectively being associated with two different adjusting positions. This adjusting choice allows the user to best adapt the playing configuration of the drum kit1to his morphology or his playing preferences, related to the relative positioning of the bass drum10and the snare drum20.

As clearly shown inFIGS. 3-7, the hi-hat stand30comprises a base31which, in the playing configuration of the drum kit1, bears on the ground. This base31has a globally parallelepiped outer shape, while being closed on all of its sides, except its side facing forward. Thus, the base31comprises a rear main panel32, an upper panel33, a lower panel34and side panels35, left and right, respectively, the panels33,34and35extending forward from the peripheral perimeter of the rear panel32, perpendicular thereto. Each of the panels32to35is substantially planar. The panels32to35are substantially fixedly permanently secured to one another. The inner volume of the base31, which is defined jointly by the panels32to35, is open on the outside of the base31by its front side.

In the playing configuration of the drum kit1, the snare drum20is, in addition to being fastened removably on the bass drum10as previously explained, removably fastened on the base31of the hi-hat stand30. More specifically, the lower panel22of the snare drum20is fastened on the upper panel33of the base31, a left part of the lower face of the panel22bearing on the upper face of the panel33, only partially covering that panel33. To guarantee the horizontality of the snare drum20in the playing configuration of the drum kit1, it is understood that the vertical dimension of the base31is equal to that of the bass drum10, the upper panel33thus being aligned at the same height as the panel17, in the service position, of the bass drum.

As clearly shown inFIGS. 3 to 6, in the playing configuration of the drum kit1, the bass drum10and the base31of the hi-hat stand30are spaced apart from one another, along the horizontal, such that the snare drum20is cantilevered with respect both to the bass drum10and the base31of the hi-hat stand30: in this way, the through opening22A of the lower panel22of the snare drum20emerges outside the snare drum, in the free space arranged between the bass drum10and the base31of the hi-hat stand.

According to technical considerations similar to those developed above regarding the removable fastening between the snare drum20and the bass drum10, the snare drum and the base31of the hi-hat stand30are provided with attachments for removable fastening making it possible to keep the snare drum20and the base31in place relative to one another in the playing configuration of the drum kit1. In the example embodiment considered in the figures, the attachments comprise two magnetized pins36, provided securely protruding from the upper panel33of the base31, and two recesses with a magnetic bottom28, respectively complementary to the pins36and defined in the lower panel22of the snare drum20. In the playing configuration of the drum kit1, the pins36are respectively received in the recesses28and are respectively placed in contact with the bottom of those recesses: the lower panel22, and thus the snare drum20, are then blocked bearing on the upper panel33, and thus opposite the base31of the hi-hat stand30, both by shape matching between the pins36and the recesses28and by magnetic locking between said pins and the ferromagnetic bottom of the recesses. Of course, as mentioned above for the pin114and the recess27, embodiments other than the pins36and recesses28can be considered for the attachments between the snare drum20and the base31of the hi-hat stand30.

Owing to the attachments between the snare drum20and, on the one hand, the bass drum10, and on the other hand, the hi-hat stand30, it is understood that the snare drum20forms a connecting and relative positioning bridge between the bass drum10and the hi-hat stand30in the playing configuration of the drum kit1.

Furthermore, the base31, due to its outside dimensioning, is designed to be housed inside the bass drum10, between the parts11and12of the latter in the compact position. More specifically, as shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, the base31can be nested completely inside the rear part12of the bass drum10: the side panels35of the base31are received in an adjusted manner between the side panels19of the rear part12, the rear panel18of the part12closing the front side of the base31in the storage and transport configuration of the drum kit1.

Inwardly, the base31of the hi-hat stand30is dimensioned to completely receive the snare drum20in the storage and transport configuration of the drum kit1, as shown inFIG. 8. More specifically, the snare drum20is nested completely inside the base31: the side panels25of the snare drum being received in an adjusted manner between the side panels35of the base31.

The hi-hat stand30also includes a spacer38that is separate from the base31. In the playing configuration of the drum kit1, the spacer38is inserted vertically between the base31and the lower cymbal3of a pair of hi-hat cymbals2, shown in dotted lines only inFIG. 4. In the considered example embodiment, the spacer38assumes the form of a vertically elongated block. In the playing configuration of the drum kit1, the lower end of the spacer38rests on the upper panel33of the base31of the hi-hat stand30. The upper end of the spacer38forms a downward support for the lower cymbal3: advantageously, this upper end of the spacer38is provided with a nonslip pad39favoring the maintenance in place of the cymbal3.

The spacer38is dimensioned so as, in the storage and transport configuration of the drum kit1, to be housed completely inside the base31of the hi-hat stand30, jointly with the snare drum20, as shown inFIGS. 8 and 9. In the example embodiment considered here, the spacer38has a vertical dimension strictly smaller than the horizontal separation between the faces, opposite one another, of the side panels35of the base31, thereby making it possible to arrange the spacer38substantially at the horizontal between the side panels35of the base31in the storage and transport configuration of the drum kit1.

The hi-hat stand30also includes a control rod310for the upper cymbal4of the pair of hi-hat cymbals2. This rod310, which is separate from the base31and the spacer38, is supported by the base31translatably in the longitudinal direction of that rod, the latter extending vertically in the playing configuration of the drum kit1. The rod310is thus translatable relative to the base31between a deployed position, associated with the playing configuration of the drum kit1, and a retracted position, associated with the storage and transport configuration. In its deployed position, the rod310extends mainly outside the base31, traversing the upper panel33of that base, as well as the spacer38, between the lower and upper ends of that spacer, until it emerges from the upper end of the spacer, as clearly shown inFIGS. 3-5. Thus, in the deployed position of the rod310, this rod freely traverses the lower cymbal3, which is open-worked to that end, and the upper cymbal4can be fastened to the upper end of the rod310, using any appropriate means, having also noted that the pair of cymbals2is known in itself and commercially available as an accessory for the acoustic drum kits of the prior art. In its retracted position, the rod310does not extend outside the base31, but is completely housed inside that base, as indicated in dotted lines inFIG. 8. In practice, it will be understood that the longitudinal dimension of the rod310is equal to or smaller than the vertical dimension of the base31.

So as not to block the retraction of the rod310inside the base31when the snare drum20is housed therein, the snare drum defines, in its front panel23, a through hole29, arranged so as to receive the rod31through it in the retracted position. Advantageously, the through hole29is substantially complementary to the rod310such that, in the retracted position, the rod310keeps the snare drum20in place inside the base31in the storage and transport configuration of the drum kit1.

In the deployed position, it is provided that the rod310retains a translational mobility in its longitudinal direction, relative to the base31, so as to translate the upper cymbal4of the pair of hi-hat cymbals2accordingly in the playing configuration of the drum kit1. This translatable connection between the base31and the rod310in the deployed position is done at a housing312, shown in detail inFIG. 7and securely integrated inside the base31, immediately below the zone of the upper panel33, traversed by the rod310. In the example embodiment, this housing312is fastened to one of the side panels35of the base31. The housing312is provided with a vertical tube314mounted sliding through the housing312along the longitudinal direction of that tube. In its upper part, the tube314is securely provided with an outer ring315transversely traversed by a knurled screw316engaged as far as the inside of the tube314. The rod310is mounted sliding, along its longitudinal direction, inside the tube314: subject to tightening of the screw316, it is understood that the rod310is securely connected to the tube314, both when the rod is in the deployed position and when it is in the retracted position, while, when the screw316is unscrewed, the rod310is freely translatable inside the tube314, allowing it to pass between the deployed and retracted positions.

At its lower end, which emerges from the lower end of the housing312, the tube314is securely provided with an outer ring317secured to a traction rope318: it is understood that by pulling the rope318downward, the tube314is translated downward relative to the housing312, and thus relative to the base31of the hi-hat stand30. The end of the cable318, opposite that secured to the ring317, is secured to a pedal320belonging to the hi-hat stand30. This pedal320comprises a lower panel321and an upper panel322, articulated on one another around a hinge pin Z-Z, for example via a hinge. The upper panel322is, at its end opposite the hinge pin Z-Z, secured to the traction rope318, using any appropriate means. The panel321is, at its end opposite the hinge pin Z-Z, designed to be removably fastened to the base31: more specifically, in the example embodiment considered in the figures, this end of the lower panel321has an embedding contour with a complementary cavity, defined in the lower face of the lower panel34of the base31, such that, in the playing configuration of the drum kit1, this end of the lower panel321of the pedal320is blocked by the base31, cooperating exclusively by shape matching with the lower panel34of that base, as clearly shown inFIG. 6. Of course, other embodiments are possible for the removable connection between the pedal320and the base31.

In the playing configuration of the drum kit1, it will be understood that by stressing the pedal320using his left foot, by pressing on the panel322so as to bring it closer to the panel321, the drummer pulls the traction cord318downward, and thus the tube314and therefore the rod310when the latter is securely connected to the tube by the tightened screw316. In other words, the pedal320makes it possible, in the playing configuration of the drum kit1, to translate the rod310relative to the base31of the hi-hat stand30when that rod is in the deployed position, carrying out corresponding driving of the upper cymbal4fastened to the upper end of that rod.

In order to return the rod310upward when the drummer releases his pressure on the pedal320, the hi-hat stand30comprises a spring324arranged permanently inside the housing312. More specifically, in the considered example embodiment, the spring324is arranged around the tube314, more specifically around the running part of the latter. As clearly shown inFIG. 7, the upper end of the spring324is pressed upward against the ring315, while its lower end is pressed against the housing312, more specifically against the lower wall of the housing, traversed slidingly by the tube314. It will be understood that when the tube314is moved downward, its ring315compresses the spring324, which then tends to push the tube upward again. To guarantee operation without jolts, the spring324is advantageously arranged in the housing312in a compressed state, inasmuch as, even without pulling of the tube314downward, the spring324presses the ring315against the housing312, more specifically against the upper wall thereof, traversed slidingly by the tube314. Thus, in the playing configuration of the drum kit1, when the drummer presses on the pedal320, the spring324elastically opposes the downward translation of the rod310, while without stressing of the pedal320, the spring324keeps the rod310in place, if applicable after having translated it upward again. It will be understood that the system associating the housing312, the tube314, the traction cord318, the pedal320and the spring324allows the drummer to control the translation in both directions of the rod310in the longitudinal direction of that rod, and in this way, to control the approach-separation of the upper cymbal4with respect to the lower cymbal3of the pair of hi-hat cymbals2.

In the storage and transport configuration of the drum kit1, the pedal320is housed completely inside the base31of the hi-hat stand30, as shown inFIGS. 8-10. In practice, the pedal320occupies the part of the inner volume of the base31left free by the snare drum20and the spacer38that are also housed in the inner volume. Thus, the snare drum20preferably occupies the lower part of the inner volume of the base31, taking advantage of the entire horizontal separation between the side panels35, without interfering with the housing312, while the spacer38and the pedal320, as well as the traction cord318, occupy the upper part of the inner volume of the base31, resting on the front panel23of the snare drum20and accommodating the presence of the housing312, subject to appropriate dimensioning of these parts.

The panels32to35of the base31and the panels321and322of the pedal320are advantageously made from wood, in particular multilayer wood, such as plywood. The spacer38and the housing312are advantageously made from solid wood, for example beech. Alternatively, inasmuch as the elements of the hi-hat stand30do not need to be struck or resonated, all or part of the base31, the pedal320, the spacer38and/or the housing312can be made from materials other than wood, in particular metal or a synthetic material, such as a plastic material. The rod310, the tube314, the traction cord318and the spring324are preferably made from metal.

Taking into account all of the preceding explanations, it will be understood that, to transition the drum kit1from its playing configuration to its storage and transport configuration, the drummer releases both the pair of cymbals2and the bass drum pedal mentioned above, then disassembles the snare drum20from the base31of the hi-hat stand30and with respect to the bass drum10, advantageously without tools, by pulling the snare drum upward until the cooperation between the pins114and36and the recesses27and28is neutralized. The drummer next disassembles the components of the hi-hat stand30: without tools, he disassembles the pedal320from the lower panel34of the base31and disassembles the spacer38with respect to the upper panel33of the base31, causing it to rise along the rod310, for the moment kept in the deployed position, until the spacer is freed from the rod. The drummer places the snare drum20in the lower part of the inner volume of the base31, steering the panel23upward: he can then loosen the screw316and push the rod310downward, so as to transition it from its deployed position to its retracted position, passing through the hole29of the snare drum20, the latter thus being blocked inside the base31by the rod310. The spacer38and the pedal320are next placed in the upper part of the inner volume of the base31, as shown inFIG. 8. At this stage, the hi-hat stand30and the snare drum20appear as shown inFIG. 8and are next, as a whole, housed inside the bass drum10. The parts11and12of the bass drum10have been separated from one another beforehand, subject to the removal of the butterfly screws112: the panel17then switches from its service position to its storage position, as shown inFIG. 9. By nesting the base31in the part12and by nesting the part12in the part11, as shown inFIG. 10, the drum kit1reaches the storage and transport configuration ofFIG. 11, the parts11and12next being able to be assembled to one another by the butterfly screws112. The panel17being in its storage position, it does not interfere with the base30, thus allowing the complete nesting of that base between the parts11and12of the bass drum10.

The passage of the drum kit1from its storage and transport configuration to its playing configuration is done through operations opposite those described above. In both cases, these operations are done, in total, in several tens of seconds, typically less than one minute, for example about 40 seconds.

It will be noted that particularly advantageously, the bass drum10, the snare drum20and the hi-hat stand30jointly weigh less than 10 kg, or even less than 9 kg, or even less than 8 kg, or even less than 7 kg, or even less than 6 kg, or even weigh 5.7 kg. Such a weight complies with major airline requirements for authorized carry-on luggage.

In its playing configuration, the drum kit1produces a sound perfectly replacing that of an acoustic drum kit of the prior art. If applicable, this sound can be amplified by microphones commercially available as accessories for the acoustic drum kits of the prior art. It will be noted that the drum kit1is, due to its structure, advantageously predisposed to amplification with microphones pre-incorporated into that drum kit.

Lastly, various arrangements and alternatives to the drum kit1described thus far may be considered. As examples:

the various striking surfaces of the drum kit may be varnished, for example with liquid wax finish; the sound is not altered as a result, while forming a glazing necessary for sliding of the brushes, particularly used in swing and jazz music; and/or

to prevent the drum kit1in the playing configuration from moving due to vibrations created during playing, the drum kit can be positioned on a nonslip mat, advantageously provided with the drum kit, folded up inside the bass drum10in the storage and transport configuration of the drum kit; if applicable, the lower faces and/or lower edges of the bass drum10and/or the base31and/or the pedal320are equipped with elements for attaching to the aforementioned mat, such as Velcro (registered trademark) strips; and/or

bells, or more generally, instrumental percussion accessories, can be added to the drum kit, supported during use by the bass drum10, the snare drum20and/or the hi-hat stand; and/or

the indications of the dimensions and weights provided above are not limiting with respect to the invention; in particular, if transport as airplane carry-on luggage is abandoned, the drum kit1may be dimensioned to be larger, while retaining its reduced storage practicality and its ease of transport, for example in the trunk of a car; and/or

the geometric shapes described above for the bass drum10, the [snare] drum20and the hi-hat stand30are also not limiting with respect to the invention, inasmuch as these shapes may in practice have essentially aesthetic arrangements, such as rounded corners, chamfered angles, etc.