Effect imparter for musical instrument

An effect imparter for a musical instrument includes a wire bundle including at least one snare, and a plate that has a hook configured to be hooked by a string and that is fixed to a first end portion of the wire bundle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-082086, filed on Apr. 23, 2019. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-082086 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an effect imparter for a musical instrument that is used for a musical instrument such as a snare drum.

Background Information

Effect imparters used for musical instruments are known from the prior art. For example, in a snare drum, an effect imparter (snappy), which includes the snares, is selectively brought into contact with and separated from the drum head, whereby the vibrations of the drum head are transmitted to the effect imparter, and a special acoustic effect can be obtained. The effect imparter is generally composed of a wire bundle formed by arranging, in parallel, a plurality of snares made of wire material, and a pair of plates that hold the two ends of the wire bundle. The pair of plates are respectively connected to a pair of strainers provided on the shell of the drum by means of a connecting member. A belt-shaped member that is used as the connecting member is known from the prior art (U.S. Pat. No. 7,728,211). However, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 2018/204550, the mainstream choice is to employ a string member as the connecting member.

SUMMARY

Conventionally, there is demand for an effect imparter that can be easily attached/detached or replaced with respect to a drum main body. In U.S. Patent Application No. 2018/204550, the user can detach an effect imparter from a strainer while keeping a string member attached to the effect imparter. However, it is necessary to adjust the tension each time the effect imparter is replaced, which is troublesome. For example, when one effect imparter is replaced with another, it becomes necessary to readjust the tension. It should be noted that in order to reproduce the same tension, it is conceivable to preliminarily place the string members in the same state before and after replacement of the effect imparters; however, such work is complicated and impractical.

One object of this disclosure is to provide an effect imparter for a musical instrument that can facilitate replacement work.

According to one embodiment of this disclosure, an effect imparter for a musical instrument comprises a wire bundle including at least one snare, and a plate that has a hook configured to be hooked by a string and that is fixed to a first end portion of the wire bundle.

According to one embodiment of this disclosure, it is possible to facilitate the replacement work.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a perspective view of an effect imparter (effect imparting tool) for a musical instrument and the musical instrument to which the effect imparter is applied, according to one embodiment of this disclosure. This musical instrument is a percussion instrument, for example, and a snare drum10is shown inFIG. 1as an example of the percussion instrument. The effect imparter is a snare wire30, so-called a snappy.

The snare drum10has a shell11. A batter head is disposed on one (front side) opening of the cylindrically shaped shell11, and a resonance head12is disposed on the other (back side) opening. A plurality of lugs14are fixed on the outer circumferential surface of the shell11at equal intervals. An annular hoop13is disposed in the opening of the shell11on the side on which the resonance head12is disposed. The snare wire30is usually provided on the outer surface of the resonance head12. A pair of mounting units15,16are arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the shell11at symmetrical positions along the diametral direction of the shell11. These mounting units15,16form a pair of so-called strainers. The mounting unit15on the fixed side and the mounting unit16on the movable side are arranged in positions that avoid the lugs14. String members (string, additional string)45are attached to both ends of the snare wire30. One of the string members45is connected to the fixed-side mounting unit15, and the other string member45is connected to the movable-side mounting unit16.

FIG. 2is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the mounting unit16on the movable side. The mounting unit16includes a fixed base20, a movable base19, a tension adjusting screw17, a lever18, and the like. The movable base19is provided so as to be movable with respect to the fixed base20in the center axis direction of the shell11. The string member45on the movable side is connected to the movable base19. When the tension adjusting screw17is operated, the movable base19moves relative to the fixed base20, thereby adjusting the tension of the snare wire30. In addition, when the lever18is operated, the movable base19moves relative to the fixed base20, so that the snare wire30can be switched between a state of contact with the resonance head12and a state of no contact with the resonance head12. In the case that a percussion performance is carried out with the snare wire30in a state of contact with the resonance head12, a special sound effect is added. On the other hand, when the snare wire30is replaced or remounted, the user operates the lever18and places the snare wire30in the state of no contact with the resonance head12.

When the snare wire30is replaced, it is possible to remove each string member45from the mounting units15,16, reattach each string member45to another snare wire30, and connect each string member45to the mounting units15,16. However, such work is inefficient. Therefore, in this embodiment, the snare wire30is configured to be easily attached to/detached from each string member45, so that the snare wire30can be easily replaced even while each string member45is connected to the mounting units15,16. The detailed configuration of the snare wire30will be described below.

FIG. 3is a perspective view of one end portion of the snare wire30. The snare wire30includes a wire bundle32including at least one snare31, and a plate40that has a hook42(42A,42B) configured to be hooked by the string member45and that is fixed to a first end portion32A of the wire bundle32. First, the snare wire30comprises the wire bundle32and two plates40(plate, additional plate), as shown inFIG. 1. The wire bundle32is composed of a plurality of snares31(refer toFIG. 3). Specifically, a plurality of thin snares31are arranged in parallel at prescribed intervals in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction L. The pair of the plates40are fixed to the end portions (first end portion32A and second end portion32B of the wire bundle32) of the snares31by means of soldering, or the like.FIG. 3shows only one of the pair of plates40. The plate40is formed integrally with a metal, or the like. It should be noted that the wire bundle32can be made up of one or more snares31. In addition, the number of parallel snares31in the wire bundle32can be greater than the number of snares31actually being used by folding at least one snare31over the plate40.

In this embodiment, the pair of plates40have the same configuration. As explained below, each of the plates40(plate, additional plate) has a hook42(hook, additional hook). Accordingly, the configuration of the plates40will be described by focusing on one of the plates40. More specifically, the plate40has a main portion41and a T-shaped portion that is connected to the main portion41. The plate40has, as the hook42, a pair of hooks42A,42B in the main portion41, on the side opposite to a holding portion for holding the wire bundle32, in the longitudinal direction L of the wire bundle32. The hooks42A,42B include a pair of cutout portions43(43A,43B). By forming the pair of cutout portions43A,43B, the hooks42A,42B are formed so as to each have a projection. The cutout portions43A,43B are adjacent to the respective projections formed by the hooks42A,42B on the wire bundle32side. The cutout portions43A,43B open in opposite directions (outer side in a width direction W of the wire bundle32) from each other in the width direction W of the wire bundle32. The hooks42A,42B are locking portions for hooking the string member45. The cutout portions43A,43B are openings into which the string member45are fitted.

FIG. 4is a plan view of one plate40.FIG. 5is a front view of one hook42A. The hooks42A,42B are essentially line symmetrical (“essentially line symmetrical” is intended to include line symmetrical, i.e. perfect line symmetry, and the same applies below) with respect to the center axis (center axis C shown inFIG. 3) of the wire bundle32in the width direction W. As illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, a concave portion (concave)44A is formed in the hook42A. The concave portion44A faces the resonance head12when the snare wire30is attached to the snare drum10. The concave portion44A has a semicircular cross section that is recessed toward the side away from the resonance head12. A concave portion (concave)44B is similarly formed in the hook42B.

A state in which the string member45is appropriately hooked on the hooks42A,42B as illustrated inFIG. 3is referred to as the state of attachment of the string member45to the plate40. In this attachment state, extension portions45A,45B (two extension portions) extend in the longitudinal direction L of the wire bundle32, from the hooks42A,42B of the plate40, respectively, toward the direction opposite to the wire bundle32. The positions of the string45, from which the extension portions45A,45B extend from the hooks42A,42B, are referred to as extension positions PA, PB (two positions), respectively. The two extension positions PA, PB are essentially line symmetrical with respect to the center axis (line) C of the wire bundle32in the width direction W. In the attached state of the string member45, the string member45is exposed on surface40aof the plate40between the cutout portions43A,43B on the side opposite the resonance head12. In addition, the string member45penetrates the cutout portions43A,43B and passes through the concave portions44A,44B, and reaches the extension positions PA, PB. From there, the string member45extends from the extension positions PA, PB as the extension portions45A,45B.

There are cases in which a performance is conducted in a state in which the snare wire30is separated from the resonance head12. In such cases, the snare wire30extends loosely and the string member45is also relaxed, so that there is the risk that the string member45will unintentionally fall off the hooks42A,42B due to vibrations or an external force. Therefore, in this embodiment, a means is devised so that the string member45does not easily become detached from the hooks42A,42B when the snare wire30extends loosely.

First, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the cutout portion43A has a wide portion (second portion)43Aa and a narrow portion (first portion)43Ab and is essentially U-shaped in a plan view. The narrow portion43Ab is the part of the cutout portion43A that is open to the outside. A part of the narrow portion43Ab serves as an entry to the cutout portion43A from the outside. In the longitudinal direction L of the wire bundle32, the width of the wide portion43Aa is D2(second width), the width of the narrow portion43Ab is D1(first width), and the relationship is D2>D1. That is, the width of the entry of the cutout portion43A is narrower. Due to this relationship, the narrow portion43Ab functions as a retain portion (string retainer) that retains the string member45in the cutout portion43A and makes it difficult for the string member45, which is fitted in the wide portion43Aa, to come off the cutout portion43A.

The shape of the cutout portion43A has the form of about an letter R, but the shape is not limited to the R shape as long as the width of the wide portion43Aa is wider than that of the narrow portion43Ab. In the cutout portion43A, the R shape is formed on the side of the wire bundle32in the longitudinal direction L of the wire bundle32. However, the wide portion43Aa of the R shape can be formed on the side opposite the wire bundle32, or on both sides in the longitudinal direction L of the wire bundle32. Thus, the wide portion43Aa can be wider than the narrow portion43Ab on both sides of the wide portion43Aa, rather than just one side. Also, each cutout portion43can be formed such that a width in the longitudinal direction L becomes minimal in the vicinity of the end position on the opening side of each cutout portion43. As long as there is a portion where the width in the longitudinal direction L of the wire bundle32becomes less in the vicinity of the end position on the opening side of the cutout portion43A than that of a portion of the inner side of each cutout portion43, the function of preventing the string member45from falling off can be achieved. Therefore, the shape of the cutout portion43A is not limited to the illustrated shape.

Next, the concave portion44A accommodates a portion45C of the string member45in the vicinity of the extension position PA. Accordingly, the concave portion44A functions as a restriction portion (string holder) that partially holds the string member45and restricts the string member45from becoming displaced in the width direction W of the wire bundle32at the extension position PA. When the string member45is loosened, the plate40and the string member45can receive a force relative to the width direction W of the wire bundle32. In such a case, there is the risk that the string member45will separate from and come off the cutout portion43A. However, since the portion of the string member45accommodated in the concave portion44A is not easily displaced in the width direction W of the wire bundle32, a state of engagement of the string member45and the cutout portion43A is easily maintained. From the standpoint of fulfilling the function of a restriction portion (string holder), the cross-sectional shape of the concave portion44A is not limited to a semicircular shape, but can take on the form of a pair of tapered surfaces or that of a half-polygon. The configuration of the cutout portion43B is the same as that of the cutout portion43A, except for being essentially line symmetrical with the cutout portion43A with respect to the center axis (line) C in the width direction W of the wire bundle32. The concave portion44B similarly accommodates a portion45D of the string member45in the vicinity of the extension position PB and function as the restriction portion (string holder).

The pair of hooks42or the pair of cutout portions43can be formed by notching or stamping a plate-like member made of metal, or the like. In addition, the concave portions44A,44B can be formed by bending, for example.

In such a configuration, when replacing the snare wire30, the user operates the lever18and places the snare wire30in the state of no contact with the resonance head12and removes the string members45from the plates40. When removing each string member45, the user operates to spread the interval between the extension portions45A,45B of each string member45and removes each of the string members45from the hooks42A,42B. When each of the string members45is removed, the string members45normally remain connected to the mounting units15,16, so are essentially in a loop shape. The user then attaches each of the string members45to plates40of another snare wire30. When attaching each of the string members45, the user runs each string member45along the width direction W of the wire bundle32on the surface40aof each of the plates40, and hooks the string member45to each of the hooks42A,42B. Then, the string member45is accommodated in the concave portions44A,44B. Since it is not necessary to pass the string member through a hole formed on the plate, as in the prior art, attachment/detachment is easy even if the string member45has a loop shape.

According to the present embodiment, the plates40fixed to both ends of the wire bundle32both include the hooks42A,42B for hooking the string member45. The user can replace the snare wire30by simply attaching/detaching the string member45to/from the plate40. In addition, it is less likely that it will be necessary to adjust the tension when replacing another snare wire30of the same length. Additionally, even when the snare wire30is temporarily removed and the same snare wire30is reattached, the necessity to adjust the tension hardly occurs as long as a state relating to the length of the string member45does not change. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the work of replacing the snare wire30.

In addition, the hooks42A,42B are essentially line-symmetrical with respect to the center axis (line) C in the width direction W of the wire bundle32. In a state in which the string member45is hooked onto the hooks42A,42B, the extension positions PA, PB are at essentially line-symmetrical positions with respect to the center axis (line) C of the wire bundle32in the width direction W. Accordingly, it is possible to maintain the important parallel orientation of the snare wire30during use. That is, it is possible to cause the wire bundle32to abut the resonance head12in a parallel manner.

In addition, regarding the width of each cutout portion43in the longitudinal direction L of the wire bundle32, the width D1of the narrow portion43Ab is narrower than the width D2of the wide portion43Aa. In other words, there is a portion where the width in the longitudinal direction L of the wire bundle32becomes less in the vicinity of the end position on the opening side of each cutout portion43than that of a portion of the inner side of each cutout portion43. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the string member45from becoming unintentionally detached from the hooks42A,42B, particularly in a state in which the snare wire30is loosened and not in contact with the resonance head12. In addition, each of the concave portions44A,44B accommodates the portion of the string member45in the vicinity of the extension positions PA, PB and restricts the string member45from becoming displaced in the width direction W of the wire bundle32. Accordingly, the state in which the string member45is accommodated in the concave portions44A,44B can be easily maintained, and the state of engagement of the string member45and the cutout portions43A,43B can be easily maintained. As a result of these configurations, it is possible to suppress the unintentional falling off the snare wire30from the string member45.

Modified examples will be described next, with respect toFIGS. 6 to 11. The descriptions of the parts of the Modified examples that are substantially identical to the parts of the embodiment explained above may be omitted for the sake of brevity. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the descriptions and illustrations of the embodiment explained above also apply to the modified examples, except as discussed and/or illustrated herein.FIGS. 6 to 9are perspective views of the plate40according to a modified example. First, in the examples shown inFIGS. 1 to 5, the interval between the distal ends of the hooks42A,42B is narrower than the width of the plate40in a direction (width direction W) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L of the wire bundle32. However, as shown inFIG. 6, the distal ends of the hooks42A,42B can be the same as the width of the plate40in the direction (width direction W) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L of the wire bundle32. In addition, in the example shown inFIG. 6, since the concave portions44A,44B, the wide portion43Aa, and the narrow portion43Ab are not provided, production is easy. Providing the concave portions44A,44B is also not essential in the examples shown inFIGS. 1 to 5. The width of each cutout portion43can be made the same without providing the wide portion43Aa and the narrow portion43Ab in the examples shown inFIGS. 1 to 5as well. From the standpoint of fulfilling the function of preventing the string member45from falling off, the configuration can be such that either the concave portions44A,44B or the wide portion43Aa and the narrow portion43Ab are provided.

In the example shown inFIG. 7, one hook-shaped claw47(claw, claw portion) is provided as a different hook, instead of providing the hooks42A,42B. The claw47extends from the main portion41of the plate40, in particular, from an end of the main portion41of the plate40toward a thickness direction T of the plate40, and then is bent toward the wire bundle32side. The claw47is essentially line symmetrical about the center axis (line) C in the width direction W of the wire bundle32. In a state in which the string member45is hooked onto the claw47, the extension positions PA, PB of the string member45in the width direction W are at essentially line-symmetrical positions with respect to the center axis (line) C in the width direction W of the wire bundle32. The claw47can be formed by bending the end of the plate40, for example, and thus production is easy and the configuration is simple.

In the example shown inFIG. 8, a hook-shaped claw46(claw, claw portion) is provided as a hook. The claw46extends from the main portion41of the plate40, in particular, from an intermediate position of the main portion41of the plate40in the longitudinal direction L of the wire bundle32, toward the thickness direction T of the plate40and then is bent toward the wire bundle32side. The claw46is essentially line-symmetrical with respect to the center axis (line) C of the wire bundle32in the width direction W. In a state in which the string member45is hooked onto the claw46, the extension positions PA, PB of the string member45in the width direction W are at essentially line-symmetrical positions with respect to the center axis (line) C in the width direction W of the wire bundle32. The claw46can be formed by cutting out and bending a part of the plate40, for example, and thus production is easy and the configuration is simple.

In the configuration shown inFIG. 8, alternatively, a plurality of the claws46can be provided, so long as the claws are essentially line-symmetric with respect to the center axis (line) C of the wire bundle32in the width direction W. For example, a pair of claws46A,46B can be formed, as illustrated inFIG. 9. From this point of view, three or more of claws each of which is the claw47shown inFIG. 7or the claw46shown inFIG. 8 or 9can be provided essentially line-symmetrically with respect to the center axis (line) C in the width direction W of the wire bundle32.

As another modified example, one or more screws can be screwed into the plate40so as to be essentially line-symmetrical with respect to the center axis (line) C of the wire bundle32in the width direction W, and one or more head portions of the one or more screws can be made to function as one or more hooks. In that case, the user fixes the one or more screws such that the one or more head portion sides protrude from the plate40above the shaft portions of the one or more screws, such that the one or more head portions of the one or more screws are on the distal end side. The method in which a portion having a shape like a head of a screw (for example, the head shape of a nail) is not limited to screwing, and such a portion can be integrally formed with the plate40.

FIG. 10is a plan view of the plate40of a modified example. In the examples shown inFIGS. 1 to 5, the cutout portions43A,43B open in opposite directions (outside in the width direction W) from each other in the width direction W of the wire bundle32. In contrast, in the modified example shown inFIG. 10, the cutout portions43A,43B are open, facing each other (inner side in the width direction W). Accordingly, the hooks42A,42B also extend in the direction facing each other and face each other. It is not essential to provide the concave portions44A,44B and the wide portion and narrow portions described above. Even with such a configuration, in a state in which the string member45is hooked onto the hooks42A,42B, the extension positions PA, PB of the string member45can be at essentially line-symmetrical positions with respect to the center axis (line) C of the wire bundle32in the width direction W. In particular, when removing the string member45, it is possible to easily remove the string member45by pinching and thus bringing the two extension portions45A,45B close together, thus resulting in high workability.

A configuration can be employed in which the configurations ofFIGS. 4 and 10are combined, such that the cutout portions43A,43B are open in the same direction in the width direction W of the wire bundle32, and the hooks42A,42B protrude in the same direction.

The musical instrument to which the effect imparter of this disclosure is employed is not limited to a snare drum10, but can be applied to a cajon as shown inFIG. 11, for example.FIG. 11is a perspective view of a cajon. The main body51of cajon50has an air vent hole52. The snare wire30is provided, for example, on the rear side of a hitting surface53of the main body51. The position at which the snare wire30is provided can be any wall portion of the main body51.

The pair of plates40fixed to both ends of the snares31(the first end portion34A and the second end portion34B) need not have the same configuration. For example, one of the examples shown inFIG. 4orFIGS. 6 to 10can be applied to one plate40, and another of the examples shown inFIG. 4orFIGS. 6 to 10can be applied to the other plate40.

This disclosure was described above based on preferred embodiments, but this disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various embodiments that do not depart from the scope of the invention. Some of the above-described embodiments can be appropriately combined.