TAMBOURINE CONSTRUCTION

Abstract: Tambourine construction comprising a frame (1), handle fastening means (4), handle (5) and jingling and/or bell-like sounds producing elements (2). The handle fastening means and handle are formed and positioned relative to the frame in such a manner that the largest line of symmetry in the smallest section of the latter are parallel to the largest line of symmetry in the smallest plane of symmetry of the tambourine construction. In addition to the above position of handle fastening means and handle, this position in the vicinity of the point of gravity of the tambourine construction aims at optimum playability.

Description: Tambourine construction The invention relates to a tambourine construction for use as a musical instrument to produce jingling or bell-like sounds. The tambourine construction comprises a means including a handle forming part of the construction in such a manner that the part of the instrument held in the hand is closer to the centre of gravity of the instrument than in the original circular tambourine construction. The location of the handle on the instrument relative to the location of the centre of gravity aims at improved handling of the instrument during playing, to minimize physical taxation of the fore-arm. A similar tambourine construction is disclosed in European patent 0,008,932 (K.L. Taninbaum) . In this prior tambourine construction, the handle is arranged on the instrument's frame, and that in such a manner that the handle forms part of the frame. In that construction the largest line of symmetry in the smallest cross-section of the handle is parallel to the longer side of the more. or less rectangular cross-section of the frame. The disadvantage of this known tambourine construction is that, owing to the afore-said position of the handle relative to the frame, the instrument, for it to be played, must be held in the hand in such a manner as to cause &. fatigue in the fore-arm and fingers, which renders optimum playing of the instrument impossible, and detracts from the useful value of this tambourine construction. The object of the invention is to provide a tambourine of a similar construction which does not have this disadvantage. This object is achieved in that the instrument according to the invention is provided with a handle which, in contrast to the position of the handle of the afore-said prior tambourine construction is turned through an angle of 90 degrees, that is to say, a handle of which, according to the invention, the largest line of symmetry in the smallest section of the handle is parallel to the largest line of symmetry in the smallest plane of symmetry of the tambourine construction. There is thus obtained a tambourine construction which, by virtue of the handle being placed in accordance with the position relative to the frame of the instrument as described in the preceding paragraph, in which the handle is positioned in, or adjacent to, the instrument's centre of gravity, is of better design as regards use value than the afore¬ said prior tambourine construction or the original circular tambourine construction. It is noted that the shape of the instrument's frame, the choice of the material to be used for the frame, the configuration and choice of material of the sound producing elements to be used, and/or the shape and choice of material of the handle and possible handle fastening means are immaterial in the scope of the invention. U.S. patent 3,481,239 discloses a tambourine construction which consists of a circular frame provided with sound producing elements, and in which, on behalf of the axial movability of the instrument, the frame is provided with a means, placed in the centre of the construction, whose sole purpose is to secure the musical instrument to the movable shaft of a high-hat. A similar such provision is referred to in US patent 3,215,020. The invention will be described more fully herein¬ after with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show one embodiment by way of example. Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the tambourine construction, comprising a frame 1, sound producing elements 2, secured to the frame by fastening means 3, a handle fastening means 4, which is necessary in this example, on which the handle 5 is provided. Fig. 2 shows the side-elevational view of the tambourine construction, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1. In this side-elevational view, the handle fastening means 4 and the smaller side of handle 5 are visible. For the sake of clarity, the sound producing elements are not indicated in this side-view. Fig. 3 shows the cross-section taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 1. This cross-section lies in the smallest plane of symmetry of the tambourine construction, and shows frame 1, sound producing elements 2, handle fastening means 4, and handle 5. Fig. 4 shows, in perspective view, the tambourine construction, in which the handle fastening means 4 with handle 5 are mounted in frame 1. Fig. 3 shows the cross-section of handle 5, in which the largest line of symmetry of the cross-section, which in this example is more or less ellipsoid, is parallel to the largest line of symmetry in the total cross-section.

Claims: CLAIM A tambourine construction comprising a musical instrument arranged to produce jingling and/or bell-like sounds, comprising a frame provided with sound producing elements secured to the frame, on which frame is arranged a handle which is disposed in or adjacent to the centre of gravity of the tambourine construction, characterized in that the tambourine construction is provided with a handle which is secured to the frame, whether or not by handle fastening means, the position of the handle relative to the frame being defined so that the largest line of symmetry in the smallest section of the handle is parallel to the largest line of symmetry in the smallest plane of symmetry of the tambourine construction.

Inventors: VAN DER MEER JOHANNES HENDRICU, VAN DER MEER, JOHANNES, HENDRICUS, MARIA
Applicants: MEER JOHANNES H M VAN DER, MOOIJMAN MARINUS LAURENTIUS L
Application year: 1986
Main classification: G10D13
IPC codes: G10D13