Abstract:
A single unit that is used to support a cymbal on a stanchion and also secure the unit to the stanchion. The cymbal is supported between a pair of soft discs with a nut provided that can be tightened or loosened for the drummer to select how tight the cymbal is secured or how not so tight thereby varying the sound emitted from the cymbal when struck by a drumstick. The unit also has a slotted collet through which the mounting rod of the stanchion is conducted. The exterior surface of the collet is tapered which fits in a tapered cavity in a body. A nut is mounted by threads on the body and when turned on the body will cause the collet to press further into the tapered cavity which will cause the collet to tightly engage with the mounting rod.

Description:
REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION 
     The basis for this application is disclosed in provisional patent application entitled Cymbal Clamp Assembly, Ser. No. 61/853,700, filed Apr. 10, 2013, by the present inventor. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Description of the Prior Art 
     A cymbal is a common musical instrument used by percussionists (drummers). For a given drummers musical setup there will be used a plurality of cymbals mounted on one or more mounting rods of supporting stanchions. Each cymbal is removably mounted in a fixed position on a mounting rod by a wing nut clamp assembly. Previously the prior art clamp assembly was many inches in length as it was composed of two separate units which limited the number of cymbals that could be reasonably mounted on a mounting rod. Also, the cymbals are frequently assembled and disassembled as the musicians move the equipment between locations. The cymbal clamp assembly is separated from its cymbal when uninstalled. Also, the cymbal clamp assemblies must be separated into its parts during disassembly. These parts can become separated and misplaced or lost when traveling which would render the instrument stanchion inoperable at the new location. 
     Cymbals have always been mounted by a wing nut and a pair of soft discs on a stanchion mounting rod. Each time the cymbal is installed for usage, which is often, the cymbal is grabbed by the drummer and then placed between the soft discs and the wing nut tightened. There are at least five different parts that make up this securing arrangement which opens the possibility that these parts could be misplaced or lost. The drummer also handles the cymbal which contaminates the surface of the cymbal with oil from the drummer&#39;s hands. Accumulation of this oil will slightly change the sound produced by the cymbal which is not desirable. Also, some prior art cymbal clamp assemblies, specifically called hi-hat clutch assemblies, utilize a threaded tube and a threaded hole which is perpendicular to the threaded tube with a wing nut which tightly bites into its mounting rod. This biting deteriorates the rod requiring premature replacement. 
     Next the cymbal has to be secured on a stanchion mounting rod at a desired location which is individually selected by the drummer according to the personal desires of the drummer. The drummer has a choice of either a four inch, six inch or a twelve inch mounting rod extension which has a threaded upper end that is used to attach the cymbal. A second wing nut and tightening nut assembly is then used which comprises a plurality of parts which can be misplaced or lost. It would be desirable to utilize a single unit, not multiple units, which clamps onto the cymbal and the mounting rod at any selected mounting position not just at the upper end of the mounting rod or mounting rod extension. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A cymbal clamp assembly which has a through center hole through which a mounting rod is to be passed. The cymbal clamp assembly has a dual clamping arrangement. The first clamping arrangement utilizes a pair of sound damping washers or discs constructed of a soft material with the cymbal to be mounted therebetween. One soft disc is to be movable relative to the other soft disc to tightly clamp and hold the cymbal. The movement of the soft disc is accomplished by turning of a nut which surrounds the mounting rod in the first embodiment of this invention. In this first embodiment the second clamping arrangement includes a slotted collet which is mounted about the mounting rod. Also in this first embodiment there is used a compression cap, which surrounds the mounting rod, is located about the slotted collet which is designed for movement on the mounting rod. Tightening of the compression cap causes the slotted collet to move decreasing the diameter of its through hole and tightens same on the mounting rod fixing the cymbal clamp assembly on the mounting rod. There is no need to use a mounting rod extension which has a threaded upper end. The clamp assembly of this invention can be installed at any location on the mounting rod extension. If the mounting rod extension is long enough there can be installed multiple cymbals achieving a stacking arrangement. 
     The cymbal clamp assembly of this invention allows for separation of the cymbal from a mounting stand or stanchion without disassembly of the cymbal clamp assembly from the cymbal. The cymbal clamp assembly of this invention, being significantly shorter in length than prior art clamping devices, permits close stacking of cymbals on a mounting rod with infinite adjustability being permitted on that mounting rod. During storage when the musician is moving between locations, the cymbal clamp assembly will remain with the cymbal as a whole eliminating discrete part disassembly and reassembly which eliminates the possibility of lost or misplaced parts. The cymbal clamp assembly is mounted on its mounting rod and clamped tightly to the cymbal not damaging same. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exterior isometric view of the first embodiment of the cymbal clamp assembly of this invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the upper surface of a cymbal upon which has been installed the first embodiment of cymbal clamp assembly of this invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exterior side view of the first embodiment of cymbal clamp assembly of this invention where the cymbal is shown in cross section; 
         FIG. 4  is an exterior isometric view of the first embodiment of cymbal clamp assembly of this invention similar to  FIG. 1  showing the cymbal clamp assembly mounted on a mounting rod where the cymbal is not shown; 
         FIG. 5  is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the cymbal clamp assembly shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  but showing the different parts of the cymbal clamp assembly disconnected from each other; 
         FIG. 7  is view similar to  FIG. 6  but showing the different parts of the cymbal clamp assembly in cross section; 
         FIG. 8  is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken through the upper part of the cymbal clamp assembly showing the compression cap loosened so the upper part could move longitudinally on the mounting rod; 
         FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 8  but showing the compression cap tightened which fixes the upper part of the cymbal clamp assembly onto the mounting rod; 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of a single mounting rod on which three cymbals are mounted each by a separate first embodiment of cymbal clamp assembly of this invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view depicting a second embodiment of clamping assembly showing such in the unclamped position; 
         FIG. 12  is a view similar to  FIG. 11  but showing the clamping assembly in the clamped position; 
         FIG. 13  is a top plan view of a third embodiment of clamping arrangement showing such in the unclamped position; 
         FIG. 14  is a view similar to  FIG. 13  but showing the clamping arrangement in the clamped position; 
         FIG. 15  is an isometric axial view of the third embodiment of clamping arrangement where the clamping arrangement is in the unclamped position; 
         FIG. 16  is a view similar to  FIG. 15  but where the clamping arrangement is in the clamped position; 
         FIG. 17  is an isometric view of a new type of mounting rod extension that is usable with this invention that is disconnected from the mounting rod; 
         FIG. 18  is a view similar to  FIG. 17  but showing the mounting rod extension connected to the mounting rod; and 
         FIG. 19  is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the mounting rod and mounting rod extension of  FIG. 18  depicting attaching of a pair of cymbals on the mounting rod extension. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring particularly to  FIGS. 1-10 , there is shown a cymbal clamp assembly  20  of this invention. The cymbal clamp assembly is composed of a first clamping arrangement  24  and a second clamping arrangement  22 . Both clamping arrangements  22  and  24  are to be mounted on a mounting rod  38  of a musicians stand or stanchion (not shown). A typical musicians stanchion has a plurality of telescoping rods which are connected together extending from a tripod base. 
     The second clamping arrangement  24  includes a pair of soft discs  42  and  44 . Soft disc  42  has a center hole  43  and soft disc  44  has a center hole  45 . The typical material of construction of discs  42  and  44  will be felt although possibly a rubber composition could be used. The discs  42  and  44  are to function as a sound damper to sound produced by the cymbal  40  mounted between the discs. The cymbal  40  will be constructed of metal with usually brass or steel utilized. The cymbal  40  has a center hole  48  through which mounting rod  38  is conducted. Mounting rod  38  also passes through center holes  43  and  45 . The discs  42  and  44  are normally identical in size although such is not mandatory. 
     Nut  46  is mounted on rod  38  which extends through center hole  49  in nut  46  which has a series of internal screw threads  47 . Nut  46  is to abut continuously against disc  44 . Disc  42  abuts continuously against the bottom surface of a grasping ring  31 . Grasping ring  31  has three in number of knobs  21  which are equiangularly spaced apart. The knobs  21  facilitate manual grabbing and holding still the grasping ring  31 . Also located within center holes  43  and  45  are sleeves  37  and  50 . Sleeve  50  is located about sleeve  37 . Sleeve  50  is integral with grasping ring  31 . Sleeve  37  is integral with body  29 . Grasping ring  31  is tightly secured to body  29 . 
     The outer end of sleeve  50  is secured to annular extension  37  which includes a series of exterior screw threads  41 . Annular extension  37  has center hole  39  through which mounting rod  38  is conducted. With the disc  44  and nut  46  removed from the mounting rod  38 , the cymbal  40  is to be located against disc  42 . Then disc  44  is placed against cymbal  40 . Nut  46  is then engaged by threads  47  and  41  and then tightened the desired amount to bind against the cymbal  40 . If the tightening action is loose, a more high pitched sound will be produced when cymbal  40  is struck with the drumstick. If the tightening action is tight, a lower pitch muted sound will be produced. 
     The second clamping arrangement  22  is as follows: The body  29  has a cavity  35  which is tapered with the narrowest part of the taper being located at threaded annular extension  37 . The exterior surface of a slotted collet  34  is also tapered and fits in a close conforming manner within the cavity  35 . Slotted collet  34  includes a plurality of slots  51  each of which have an open end and a closed end. These slots  51  permit the collet to be squeezed and its center through hole  30  decreased in diameter. Slotted collet  34  also includes a necked down annular cavity  25  on its exterior surface. A thin metal washer  52  sets within cavity  25 . Also setting within cavity  25  is lip  53  of a metal insert  55 . Metal insert  55  is fixedly secured within plastic compression cap  36 . Metal insert  55  has a series of female screw threads  28  which engage with male screw threads  27 . Slotted collet  34  has a center through hole  30 . The center through hole  30  slidingly abuts in a close fitting manner with mounting rod  38 . 
     Turning of compression cap  36  in one direction will cause the tapered collet  34  to be moved further into tapered cavity  35  which will narrow the open end of the slots  51 . The cap  36  will move from point A in  FIG. 8  to point C in  FIG. 9  and the slots will narrow from width B in  FIG. 8  to width D in  FIG. 9 . This will cause the slotted collet  34  to frictionally bind against the mounting rod  38  tightly fixing the cymbal  40  on the mounting rod  38  preventing relative movement therebetween. Now the cymbal  40  will be ready to be played by the drummer. 
     When the playing has ended and the drummer wants to proceed to a new location, the drummer loosens compression cap  36  which will cause the slotted collet  34  to retract slightly expanding the open end of the slots  51 . The entire cymbal clamp assembly  20  can then be slid off the mounting rod  38  and be handled by the drummer preventing contact with the cymbal  40 . The cymbal clamp assembly  20  can then be placed in storage still attached to the cymbal  40  for transporting same. 
     The cymbal clamp assemblies  20  are short in length which will permit stacking of a plurality of cymbals  40 ,  32  and  54  on a single mounting rod  38  which is shown in  FIG. 10 . Mounting rod extensions could also be used by being secured to a threaded upper end of the mounting rod which is not shown. These extensions could be of any length such as four inch, six inch or twelve inch. The cymbals  40 ,  32  and  54  can be of various diameters as is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     Referring particularly to  FIGS. 11 and 12  there is shown a second embodiment  33  of clamping arrangement which could be used instead of the second clamping arrangement  22 . A camming lever  56  is pivotally mounted creating a pivot axis  57  on a housing  58 . The housing  58  has an extension tube  59  which is located about mounting rod  38 . Extension tube  59  terminates in a threaded section  61  at its outer end to which the first clamping arrangement  24  is to be connected. The inner end of the lever  56  functions as a camming surface  63  which is to abut against the mounting rod  38 . In the unclamped position the camming lever  56  is in the position shown in  FIG. 11  with the camming surface  63  slightly spaced from the mounting rod  38 . In  FIG. 12  the camming lever  56  is in the clamped position with the camming surface  63  tightly engaging against the surface of the mounting rod  38 . The pivot axis  57  is located transverse to the longitudinal center axis  62  of the mounting rod  38 . In  FIG. 11  the entire cymbal clamping assembly  33  and  24  can be disengaged from the mounting rod by just being slid off. In  FIG. 12  the second embodiment  33  and second clamping arrangement  24  is fixed to the mounting rod  38 . Second embodiment  33  and second clamping arrangement  24  can be disengaged from the mounting rod  38  by just being slid off. In  FIG. 12  the second embodiment  33  and second clamping arrangement  24  is fixed to mounting rod  38 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 to 16 , there is shown a third embodiment of cymbal clamp assembly  74 . A housing  64  has a through center hole which connects to mounting rod  38 . Housing  64  includes a radial slot  66  that extends between the center through hole of housing  64  and the peripheral surface of housing  64 . A camming lever  68  is pivotally mounted about pivot axis  70  to housing  64 . Pivot axis  70  is located parallel to longitudinal center axis  62  of mounting rod  38 . One end of half circular link  72  is also pivotally mounted to housing  64  and the opposite end of link  72  is pivotally mounted to camming lever  68 . Movement of camming lever  68  from the unclamped position shown in  FIGS. 13 and 15  to the clamped position shown in  FIGS. 14 and 16  will cause the radial slot to narrow from distance M in  FIGS. 13 and 15  to distance N in  FIGS. 14 and 16 . The result is the cymbal clamp assembly  74  and  24  can be disengaged from the mounting rod  38  by just being slid off the mounting rod  38  when in the unclamped position of  FIGS. 13 and 15 . When in the clamped position of  FIGS. 14 and 16  the cymbal clamp assembly  74  and  24  are fixed to the mounting rod  38 . 
     A major advantage of the present invention is that there is no need for a typical prior art mounting rod extension that has a series of screw threads on its upper free end that are necessary to mount a cymbal on the rod extension. Referring to  FIGS. 17-19  there is shown a typical mounting rod  78  that has a series of screw threads  80 . A mounting rod extension  76  can be used that has a smoothly contoured rod  84  (no threads) at its upper end which is secured at its lower end to an enlarged nut which functions as a handle  82 . The handle  82  has a series of internal screw threads which are to connect to screw threads  80 . The rod  84  will typically be four, six or twelve inches in length. The rod can be used to mount a plurality of cymbals  40  in a stacked relationship as is shown in  FIG. 19 . The enlarged nut  82  facilitates manual installing and removing of rod  84  from mounting rod  78 .