Storage and retrieval of drumsticks

A device for storing and retrieving one or more drumsticks, comprising in combination: a casing open at its top and defining a cavity, a drumstick support movable within the cavity in opposition to a first spring into locking engagement with a second spring, and trigger means for releasing the second spring; said device being characterized in that releasing the second spring causes said drumstick support means to move upwardly ejecting said drumsticks.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
This invention relates to a novel device which will enable a drummer to 
readily store or retrieve drumsticks as needed. 
Musicians who play drums often have difficulty in storing drumsticks when 
not in use and then retrieving them. This is particularly a problem with 
drumsticks in a marching band. 
Prior art devices for marching drummers are typically uncomfortable, 
awkward, or expensive. Streit, U.S. Pat. No. 4,256,007, describes a drum 
carrier supported on the shoulder by hooks on a rigid frame but with no 
provision to store drumsticks. Johannsen, U.S. Pat. No. 3,106,123, 
describes a complex of straps as a marching drum holder, but makes no 
provision for storing of drumsticks. Gardner, U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,724, 
describes a drumstick carrier in the form of a stick bag with pockets. 
One object of this invention is to provide a device which permits quick 
storage and retrieval of drumsticks. 
Another object of this invention is to provide such a device suitable for 
use by a marching drummer. 
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from 
the description and claims which follow taken together with the appended 
drawings. 
SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
This invention comprises broadly a rigid casing containing a cavity open at 
one end and of sufficient length to house one or more drumsticks. Within 
the cavity is a movable drumstick support member. Inserting the drumstick 
into the cavity against the drumstick support causes the support to both 
load a first spring and lock to a second spring. Release of the second 
spring causes the first spring to push the support outwardly, thus 
ejecting the drumsticks from the cavity opening. 
The device of this invention can be attached to the waist and thigh of a 
marching drummer for ease of use without interfering with holding the drum 
and leaving his hands free. It also can be attached to a stand or drum 
itself.

SPECIFIC EXAMPLE OF INVENTION 
Referring now to the drawings, the device indicated generally by numeral 10 
comprises a stiff casing 11 covered with leather or other ornamental 
material, having a cavity with an opening 12, cover 13, and a pocket 14 
for holding a drum key. Two drumsticks 26 are shown inserted into the 
device. The device is shown worn by a phantom drummer with an elastic 
strap 9 on his waist and a Velcro strap 28 on his thigh. 
The device is operated by means of a trigger 16 having a finger-engaging 
portion 17, the trigger 16 being pivotal on pin 15a of support bracket 15. 
Trigger 16 pulls the end of pin 18 which in turn pulls leaf spring 19 out 
of engagement with crevice 27. Track 22 attached to casing 11 holds bent 
plate 21 and permits it to slide longitudinally. The end of plate 21 is 
attached to coil spring 25 whose other end is attached to a pin 24 held in 
place on the casing by a removable cap 23 which permits adjusting the 
tension of spring 25 by moving the pin 24 to a selected slot 28. The 
normal position of coil spring 25 is retracted. 
Sliding plate 21 has a bent-over portion attached to an outward facing bent 
plate 20 which serves to engage the ends of drumsticks 26. 
The mechanism operates as follows: When the drumsticks 26 are pushed 
through the top opening 12, they push against plate 20 which in turn 
causes plate 21 to move down until it pushes its crevice 27 to engage leaf 
spring 19. At this point, coil spring 25 is extended and under tension. A 
touch on the finger portion 17 of trigger 16 causes the trigger to pull 
pin 18 and thus leaf spring 19 away from plate 21. This causes coil spring 
25 to retract, moving bent plate 20 upwardly so as to eject the drumsticks 
26.