Abstract:
A drum stand stabilizing assembly, generally intended for marching percussion instruments such as snare drums. The invention uses a lateral support to hold the weight of the instrument in multiple locations, a post or posts to stabilize the instrument in the proper position, and a mating receiver mounted to the instrument to allow for assembly of the complete support structure. The assembly provides for a stable support structure and maintains the instrument in the proper orientation for practice or performance. The assembly provides for fast and simple mounting of the instrument.

Description:
PRIOR HISTORY 
     This non-provisional U.S. Patent Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/688,078 filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on 8 May 2012, the specifications of which are hereby incorporated by reference thereto. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to new and useful improvements in support stands for drums and other musical instruments. More particularly, the present invention relates to a support stand which holds a snare drum or single tenor, for example a marching snare drum. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     Referencing  FIG. 2  of the patent illustrations appended to these specifications, the reader will see that an exemplary prior art stand for musical instruments, especially for percussion instruments, typically shows the use of a tripod type stand with three or more supports which support the bottom edge of the drum in order to hold the drum in a position which allows the performer to play the instrument with the drumheads in a quasi-horizontal orientation. The supports are adjustable and normally include multiple wing nuts or other tightening methods to hold them in place. Certain other prior art drum stands are briefly described hereinafter. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 624,662 (&#39;662 Patent), which issued to Leedy, for example, discloses a Drum Stand. The &#39;662 Patent describes a drum stand comprising a head piece having three projections radiating from the center of the top plane thereof, a pair of arms pivoted upon the head piece and extending radially over two of said projections, an arm rigidly secured to the head piece and extending over the other one of said projections, a turned-up lug at the free end of each of said arms, a rib to support each of said pivoted arms laterally at the side opposite said rigid arm, a clamping device at the underside of said head piece, and a supporting stand connected to said clamping device. The Leedy stand appears to be suitable for supporting a single drum. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,433,594 (&#39;594 Patent), which issued to Calo, generally discloses a folding tripod drum stand with a lateral support under the drum which is center supported. More particularly, the &#39;594 Patent describes a drum stand comprising a flat base of extended dimensions, an adjustable telescoping standard rising centrally from the base, a drum-supporting frame, and a ball and socket connection between the standard and the drum-supporting frame to thereby provide a support for the drum frame and in which the support elements are axially aligned and extend normal to the base plane. 
     The ball and socket members of such connection are carried respectively by the standard and the drum-supporting frame with the ball carried by the drum frame and having its center included within such axial alignment. The ball member has an equatorial roughened zone with the drum frame extending from a polar zone of the ball. The socket member has an open top to permit lateral swing of the drum frame with a limited range, said connection including an adjusting nut cooperative with the socket member to secure the ball member in adjusted position relative to the socket and to release the ball from the socket, the relation of ball and socket being such that co-operation between the equatorial zone of the ball and the socket will be present in all of the adjusted positions of the drum frame. 
     The drum frame includes an arm secured to and extending from a polar axis of the ball in a direction normal to the equatorial zone. The arm carries a laterally extending element the opposite free ends of which extend angularly to the direction of length of the element and in substantial parallelism to the direction of length of the said arm, said ends each carrying means for removably securing the drum. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,253 (&#39;253 Patent) which issued to Hoshino, discloses a Universal Support for Drums. The &#39;253 Patent describes a universal support structure wherein the angular adjustment provided by the universal support for an object supported thereby remains fixed even though the object, such as a drum, has been removed from the universal support. The universal support is capable of holding a support rod relative to a support stand having an attachment member. The universal support includes a receiving member, with a rod press and a support stand press each attached to the receiving member. 
     The receiving member and the rod press each has a concave surface adapted to accommodate the rod support sandwiched between the contoured surfaces of the receiving member and the rod press. In addition, the receiving member and the support stand press each has a concave surface adapted to accommodate the attachment member of the support stand sandwiched between the concave surface of the receiving member and the support stand press. Thus, the universal support is capable of accommodating the attachment member of the support stand independently of the rod support. 
     While the above patents and many subsequent patents of the prior art disclose various instrument stands generally, and drum stands particularly, none of the prior art discloses a drum stand utilizing a post which mates to a receiver on the drum together with a lateral support which holds the weight of the instrument in multiple locations to allow for fast, simple, and stable placement of the instrument on the stand. The prior art thus perceives a need for such a drum stand construction as summarized in more detail hereinafter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Various prior inventions have been disclosed that provide support stands for musical instruments such as percussion instruments, snare, and single-tenor drums, but none of the listed inventions provide the claims of this invention. The ideal invention would provide instrument support that is extremely stable under the use and abuse expected during heavy practice and performance. It would support the drum and maintain the proper orientation so that vibration and movement are eliminated or minimized. It would be of a design that allows very quick mounting and dismounting of the instrument. It would use few parts to simplify the use, reduce lost parts, and cut down on manufacturing costs. It would require no further adjustment or tightening once installed. It would firmly attach to the instrument in an unobtrusive location. It would be robust, yet low in weight. The proposed invention provides these features. 
     One of the objects of this invention is to provide instrument support that is extremely stable. The Hoshino &#39;253 Patent, for example, discloses a single post instrument support with one arm which has the tendency to sway, bounce, and vibrate. The current invention improves on this by providing a lateral support which supports the bottom edge of the drum in two places, typically the back of the drum and the front of the drum. These supports are cushioned by resilient material such as hard rubber. The vertical riser underneath this horizontal support is located directly below the center-of-gravity of the drum which provides the optimal location for stability. The receiver is firmly attached to the drum, and the fit between the receiver and the post is snug. These elements of the invention cooperate to provide stability. 
     Another object of this invention is to maintain alignment of the instrument in a preferred orientation for practice or performances. This is attained by the mating shape of the post and receiver. In the preferred embodiment this mating shape is square, which provides the benefits of simplicity, low cost, and non-rotation. Other non-round shapes for the post are possible, including rectangular, triangular, “T”-shaped, or two round posts in combination. 
     Another object of this invention is to allow very quick mounting and dismounting of the instrument to the stand. This is attained by the post of the invention which is easy to place into the mating receiver that is attached to the drum. By tightly controlling the tolerances of this mating the invention provides for very quick mounting and dismounting of the instrument to the stand. 
     Another object of this invention is to reduce the parts needed for the instrument stand. This is attained by the invention needing few adjustable parts or tightening bolts such as wing nuts. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide various receiver designs which mate with the various drum designs currently in the marketplace. This is attained by the invention having five receivers described, which can be used as needed for various drums. 
     Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded top perspective view of a drum stand stabilizing assembly according to the present invention showing a drum stand juxtaposed underneath a drum with a first drum-to-support interface or receiver unit being attached to the drum. 
         FIG. 1(   a ) is an enlarged exploded top perspective view of the interface or receiver unit shown in exploded relation relative to a cylindrical tension rod-like member and fastening hardware for attaching the first drum-to-support receiver unit to the drum. 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of a Prior Art drum stand assembly shown supporting a phantom drum. 
         FIG. 3(   a ) is a first fragmentary bottom perspective view of a drum supported by the support assembly and first drum-to-support interface or receiver unit according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3(   b ) is a second fragmentary bottom perspective view of a drum supported by the support assembly and the first drum-to-support interface or receiver unit according to the present invention showing the elements rotated about the drum axis to a first position as relatively compared to the components shown in  FIG. 3(   a ). 
         FIG. 3(   c ) is a side elevational view of a drum supported by the support assembly and the first drum-to-support interface or receiver unit according to the present invention showing the elements rotated about the drum axis to a second position as relatively compared to the components shown in  FIG. 3(   a ). 
         FIG. 4  is a rear bottom perspective view of the first drum-to-support interface or receiver unit according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a second drum-to-support receiver unit according to the present invention for mounting to two vertical cylinders or tension rods. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a third drum-to-support receiver unit according to the present invention for mounting to one vertical cylinder or tension rod. 
         FIG. 7  is a top rear isometric or perspective view of the first drum-to-support receiver unit according to the present invention for mounting to two tension rods. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a fourth drum-to-support receiver unit according to the present invention for mounting directly to a drum shell. 
     
    
    
     PARTS LIST 
     
         
         Support Assembly  10   
       
    
     Post  13   
     Lateral  12   
     Riser  11   
     Riser Top  14   
     Post End  15   
     Post Axis  101   
     Sleeve Axis  102 
     Receiver Unit  20     

     Sleeve  21   
     Mounting structure  22   
     Flange  23   
     Mounting Holes  24   
     Cylinder  25   
     Coupler Unit  26   
     Tension Rod  27   
     Hex Footing  28   
     Radius of Curvature  29   
     Welds  90 
     Stand base  30     

     Upright Member  31 
     Drum  40     

     Drum Shell  41   
     Drum Bottom Edge  42   
     Cylinder  45 
     Receiver Unit  50  for Mounting to Two Vertical Cylinders   

     Sleeve  51   
     Plate  52   
     Clamp  53   
     Hardware  54 
     Receiver Unit  60  for Mounting to One Vertical Cylinder   

     Sleeve  61   
     Tube Mount  62   
     Hardware  63 
     Receiver Unit  70  for Mounting to Tension Rods   

     Sleeve  71   
     Plate  72   
     Tension Rod “L” Bracket  73   
     Apertures  74 
     Receiver Unit  80  for Mounting to Drum Shell   

     Sleeve  81   
     Hardware  82 
     Supports  100  from Prior Art   

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now the drawings with more specificity,  FIG. 1  attempts to depict a preferred drum stand stabilizing assembly according to the present invention with a drum  40  mounted thereto. The drum or percussion instrument stand stabilizing assembly according to the present invention may be said to comprise, in combination, a stand base  30 ; a support assembly  10 ; and a drum-to-support receiver unit or interface construction  20 . 
     Generally referencing  FIG. 1 , the support assembly  10  is held or supported by the stand base  30 . In this regard, the stand base  30  is preferably of a tripod type construction having an upwardly oriented member  31  matable with the riser element  11  of the support assembly  10 . The support assembly  10  mates with the preferred drum-to-support receiver unit  20  as well as with alternative receiver units  50 ,  60 ,  70 , and  80 . The receiver unit  20  is preferably attached to the percussion instrument or drum  40  via certain fastening means. 
     Referencing  FIG. 1(   a ), for example, it will be seen that the receiver unit  20  comprises mounting holes as at  24 . The mounting holes  24  comprise an inner diameter sufficient to abut the cylindrical sleeve unit as at  25 . According to state of the art drum construction, a tension rod  27  may be received inside the coupler unit  26 , which tightens to the cylindrical sleeve unit  25 . 
     The outer diameter of the coupler unit  26  is sized for receipt within the inner diameter of the cylindrical sleeve unit  25 . The tension rod  27  threadably fastens to the coupler unit  26  and the hex footing  28  of the coupler unit  26  provides a seat upon which the flange  23  is supported when the coupler unit  26  is inserted into the cylindrical sleeve unit  25 . The mounting holes  24  are formed in the flange  23  so as to receive or fasten to adjacent cylindrical sleeve units  25 . Further, the flange  23  preferably comprises a radius of curvature (as at  29 ) that substantially matches that of the drum  40  at the drum shell  41 . 
     The riser  11  of the support assembly  10  is preferably oriented vertically and is adjustably and telescopically receivable in the upwardly extending (female) upright member  31  of the stand base  30 . The lateral element  12  is connected to, and supported by the riser element  11  so as to support the front and rear bottom edges  42  of the drum  40 . A post  13  extends upwardly or vertically from a post end of the lateral element  11  and has transverse dimensions that are sized and shaped to cooperate with the transverse dimensions of the sleeve  21  for penetration thereof or matable engagement therewith. 
     In the preferred embodiment the post, lateral, and riser elements  13 ,  12 , and  11  comprise rectangular (or square) transverse cross-sections essentially for preventing rotation about the axes thereof, although other non-circular cross-sectional shapes are possible. The post axis  101  and the sleeve axis  102  are generally depicted in coaxial alignment in  FIG. 1 . It will be understood from a consideration of  FIG. 1  that rotation about the axes  101  and  102  is prevented by the transverse construction of the sleeve  21  mated with the post  13 . 
     The reader is invited to compare the teachings generally shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  1 ( a ), and  3 ( a ) to  3 ( c ) to those prior art teachings shown in  FIG. 2 . The reader will note from a comparative inspection of the noted figures that the exemplary prior art drum stand shown in  FIG. 2  is intended for a single drum. Prior art drum stands of the type shown in  FIG. 2  typically show the use of a tripod type stand with three or more supports as at  100 , which support the bottom edge of the drum in order to hold the drum in a position which allows the performer to play the instrument with the drumheads in a quasi-horizontal orientation. The supports  100  are adjustable and normally include multiple wing nuts or other cumbersome tightening methods to hold them in place. 
     The present instrument stand stabilizing assembly is believed superior to prior art drum stands of the type shown in  FIG. 2  insofar as the interface or receiver unit  20  is more robustly fastened to the drum  40 , and is mated with the support assembly  10  and stand base  30  such that the combined weight of the drum  40  and receiver unit  20  seat the drum  40  upon the lateral element  12 , and the anti-rotation characteristics of the post  13  and sleeve  21  maintain the drum in a static position as supported by the lateral element  12 . Percussion instruments are necessarily force-absorbing instruments, and thus are prone to dislodgements or displacements not adequately addressed by the prior art drum stand shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the reader is shown an enlarged bottom front perspective of the drum-to-support interface or receiver unit  20  of the drum stand stabilizing assembly according to the present invention. The preferred embodiment of the sleeve  21  is shown as comprising a square transverse cross-section, which sleeve  21  mates with the post  13 . The sleeve  21  is attached to the mounting structure  22 , for example, by welds as at  90 . In the preferred embodiment the mounting structure  22  is stabilized by a flange  23 , and the receiver unit  20  is attached to the drum  40  by use of mounting holes or apertures  24 . 
     Various commercially available drums will require variations in mounting methods and variations in receiver unit design, as discussed in more detail hereinafter. Referring to  FIG. 5 , for example, there is shown an alternative drum-to-support interface or receiver unit  50  according to the drum stand stabilizing assembly of the present invention. The riser element  11  supports the lateral element  12 , which lateral element  12  supports the front and rear bottom edges  42  of the drum  40  as before. The post element  13  is oriented vertically to fit into the sleeve  51 . The sleeve  51  is attached to the plate  52  which has return bends which fit to the outside of two vertical cylinders  45  on the drum  40 . The clamps  53  and certain fastening means as exemplified by bolt-nut assemblies  54  fasten the receiver unit  50  tightly to the two vertical cylinders  45  via the clamps  53 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , there is shown an alternative drum-to-support interface or receiver unit  60  for mounting to one vertical cylinder as at  45 . The sleeve  61  of the receiver unit  60  is held to the cylinder  45  by a tube mount  62  and certain fastening means as exemplified by a bolt assembly  64  which clamps the cylinder  45  tightly. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , there is shown an alternative drum-to-support interface or receiver unit  70  for mounting to tension rods. The sleeve  71  is fixed to the plate  72 . Conceivably, tension rod “L” or angle brackets  73  may be preferably formed as part of the plate  72  or may be formed as separate parts attached to the plate  72 . Rod-receiving apertures  74  are preferably formed in the brackets  73 . 
     Finally, referring to  FIG. 8 , there is shown an alternative drum-to-sleeve mounting arrangement or receiver construction  80  for mounting (directly) to a drum shell  41  of a drum  40 . In the receiver construction  80 , the sleeve  81  is attached via certain fastening means as exemplified by a screw or bolt fastener  82  through holes drilled in the drum shell  41 . 
     While the foregoing specifications set forth much specificity, the same should not be construed as setting forth limits to the invention but rather as setting forth certain preferred embodiments and features. For example, as prefaced hereinabove, it is contemplated that the present invention essentially provides a drum or (percussion) instrument stand stabilizing assembly. The instrument stand stabilizing assembly according to the present invention is believed to essentially comprise a stand base, a riser element, a lateral element, a post element, and a post-receiving sleeve element. 
     The riser element  11  is supportable by the stand base  30  and comprises a riser top as at  14 . The lateral element  12  comprises an overall lateral length and a post end as at  15 . The lateral element  12  is attached at a point intermediate its lateral length to the riser top  14 . The lateral length is sufficient to support a drum  40  in at least two places (e.g. forward and rearward bottom edge points) along a bottom edge  42  of the drum  40 . 
     The post element  13  is mounted to the lateral element  12 , and preferably has a non-circular cross section (e.g. square). The post-receiving sleeve  21  is mountable to the drum  40  and also preferably comprises a non-circular sleeve cross section (e.g. square). The post  13  is matable with the post-receiving sleeve  21 . The non-circular cross sections of the post  13  and sleeve  21  essentially function to prevent rotation of the sleeve  21  relative to the post  13  about the post and sleeve axes  101  and  102 . 
     Although not specifically illustrated, the instrument stand stabilizing assembly according to the present invention could conceivably be practiced by incorporating two posts  13  at opposite ends of the lateral element  12  along with two receiver units  20 , mounted to opposite sides of the drum  40 . Further, the lateral element could conceivably comprise a series of radiating lateral elements with a first number of post(s) mounted at the ends thereof, and a corresponding number of receiver units attached to the drum  40 . 
     The illustrations provided in this specification are intended as basic or exemplary. Accordingly, the inventive assembly could conceivably comprise at least one post  13  mounted to a post end of the lateral element  12 , and at least one post-receiving sleeve  21  mountable to the drum  40 . Each post-receiving sleeve  21  may then be matable with each post  13  within the spirit of the invention. Given two or more post-sleeve matings, the preference for non-circular transverse cross-sections of the post and sleeve constructions is tempered. 
     As variations in drum design exist, the present invention further contemplates a number of alternatives for fastening a drum to a sleeve type construction. In this regard, the present invention further contemplates a drum stand stabilizing assembly comprising a receiver assembly, which receiver assembly may comprise: a mounting plate, a flange extending from the mounting plate, and mounting apertures formed in the flange, which apertures are sized and shaped to cooperably mate with a commercially available drum. 
     Alternatively, the receiver assembly may comprise a mounting plate and at least one clamp. Each clamp may be cooperable with the mounting plate and may be formed to clamp the mounting plate to one or more vertical cylinders on a commercially available drum. Further, the receiver assembly may comprise a mounting plate and L-shaped brackets extending from the mounting plate, which L-shaped brackets may be formed to mount to tension rods on a commercially available drum. Still further, the receiver assembly may be fastenable directly to the shell  41  of a drum  40 . 
     Thus, specific embodiments and applications for a drum stand stabilizing assembly have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.