Abstract:
A drummer&#39;s drumstick holder is disclosed comprising a rigid, circumscribing frame having a woven web of elastic bands therein forming a matrix of openings within which the drumsticks may be inserted. The frame is secured to the drum set by elastic straps affixed to the drum set and/or other accompanying instrumental pieces.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a musical instrument accessory; more particularly to an improved drumstick holder for a drummer&#39;s use during a musical performance. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS 
   During a given musical performance a drummer typically uses more than one set of drumsticks. A different weight and/or type of drumstick may be used for different parts of a musical piece being played to obtain differing sound effects. Thus a drummer needs a means to have a variety of drumsticks readily at hand whereby he may instantly exchange drumsticks while performing. 
   Heretofore, attempted solutions to the drumstick swapping problem generally comprised some sort of tray, or tube-like container that would be attached to the drummer&#39;s drum set or positioned within close proximity. For example see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,435,220; 5,551,660; and 6,150,595. Drummers have also employed the use of “stick bags” attached to their drum set and/or fastened to their person by means of a belt or the like. 
   Nevertheless, the need continues for a more desirable solution to the stockholder problem whereby the drummer may swap, or exchange, drumsticks quickly during a given performance. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides the drummer a drumstick holder that may be easily attached to his drum set and thereby readily available for placement of drumsticks therein and/or removal therefrom as the need arises during performance of a musical piece. 
   The herein taught drumstick holder basically comprises a rigid, circumscribing frame having a woven elastic band web therein forming a matrix of openings within which the drumsticks may be inserted. The frame is secured to the drum set by elastic straps that are affixed to the drum set and/or other instrumental pieces. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  presents a plan view of my drumstick holder. 
       FIG. 2  presents an inverted, pictorial view of the center frame of the drumstick holder illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  presents a top plan view of the center ring illustrated in  FIG. 2  with center webbing and elastic straps removed. 
       FIG. 4  presents a side elevational view of the center ring illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 5  presents a top plan view of the center ring having elastic webbing and straps attached thereto. 
       FIG. 6  presents an elevational view of the center ring illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  presents a top view, similar to that of  FIG. 5 , having three drumsticks inserted therein. 
       FIG. 8  presents a pictorial view of my drumstick holder having three drumsticks therein and attached to a typical drum stand. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  shows the basic components of my unique drumstick holder. Drumstick holder  10  comprises an assembly having a main circular frame, or ring,  12  having at least three, spaced apart, elastic straps  14 A,  14 B,  14 C attached thereto as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . An S link, or hook,  16  is provided at the terminal end of each strap, the function of which will be further explained below. 
   Each elastic strap  14  includes at least one sewn-in loop  18 ; the function of which will be explained further below. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2 through 4 ,  FIG. 2  presents an inverted, pictorial view of ring assembly  12  while  FIGS. 3 and 4  respectively, present a top and elevational view of ring assembly  12  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Positioned about the circumference of ring  12  are eight extending posts  20 . Posts  20  are affixed to ring  12  by any suitable manner such as welding. At the terminal end of each post  20  is a hook like means  22 . Posts  20  are preferably grouped in pairs, as illustrated in the figures, with a pair of posts positioned at the 0, 90, 180, and 270 degree location about ring  12  as illustrated. 
   Ring  12  is preferably made of ⅛ steel having a radius R of approximately 1.6 inches. However, it may be any suitable or convenient size to suit the user. Posts  22  are approximately 1.0 inch in length h, although posts  22  are generally of a length to suit the width of elastic band  52  used to create the weave  50  within ring  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3  each pair posts  20  are offset by angle A of approximately 10 degrees. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  shows a continues elastic band  25  stretchingly woven in a generally diametric, crisscrossing pattern about posts  20  whereby a multiplicity of open spaces  35  are formed within ring  12 . Elastic band  25  is an elongated elastic band having a width of approximately ½ inch and a length suitable to complete the weave as shown within ring  12 . A sewn in loop is provided at each end of elastic band  25   
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , a suitable weaving sequence and pattern for forming woven matrix  50  within ring  12  follows: first, one looped end  56  of elastic band  25  is attached to post  20 G, elastic band  25  is then, stretchingly, wrapped about post  20 D. Then about post  20 A followed by wrapping elastic band  25  about post  20 F. Next elastic band  25  is wrapped about post  20 C, then about post  20 H followed by  20 E to  20 B followed by looping the final looped end  58  upon post  20 G. 
   It is not only desirable to use the weaving sequences as described above but also desirable to interweave the strands as illustrated. 
     FIG. 7  illustrates drumstick holder  10  having three drumsticks  28 A,  28 B, and  28 C inserted therein. Drumsticks  28 A,  28 B, and  28 C are inserted into the openings  35  between the woven elastic bands within frame  12  as illustrated. The elasticity of the elastic bands causes the bands to cinch around each of the drumsticks thereby holding them in place. The drumsticks are easily removed, when needed by pulling them out of the woven matrix of elastic bands 
     FIG. 8  shows the subject drumstick holder  10 , with drumsticks inserted therein, attached to a typical drum stand  35 . Elastic straps  14  are secured to convenient locations on the drum stand. For example strap  14 C is shown as being looped around a typical cymbal support stand  32  with hook  16 C fastened to loop  18  sewn into strap  14 C; strap  14 A similarly looped around drumhead tensioning screw  34  and hook  16 B, of strap  14 B hooked upon drum head tensioning screw  35 . 
   Thus drumstick holder  10 , and its accompanying drumsticks, may be conveniently placed at arm&#39;s length. Further, the drumsticks may be easily inserted and/or removed from the drumstick holder. 
   Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, there is no intent to thereby limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated herein. On the contrary, the intention herein is to cover all modifications, alternatives, embodiments, and/or equivalents of the subject invention as may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed below.