Abstract:
Apparatus is disclosed for carrying percussion instruments, particularly drums of various kinds, which comprises a combination of a carrier assembly with a novel receptacle for supporting J-rods thereon. The carrier is a vest-type or T-bar-type carrier with clamps for tubes or J-rods having a base and overlying portion configured to engage the tube or J-rod at a plurality of distinct and separate points. Variations are shown which have one or more clamps on a single base. In other embodiments, a plurality of clamps are adjustably positioned on the carrier.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of applicant&#39;s applications Ser. No. 08/588,244, filed Jan. 18, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,492, issued Nov. 25, 1997 and Ser. No. 08/976,999 filed Nov. 24, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,257 issued Feb. 22, 2000, Ser. No. 09/487,265, filed Feb. 3, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,407 issued Nov. 27, 2001, Ser. No. 09/756,479, filed Jan. 8, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,403,869 issued Jun. 11, 2002, and application Ser. No. 10/170,005, filed Jun. 10, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,770,805. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to new and useful improvements in apparatus for carrying percussion instruments, particularly drums of various kinds. Further, the present invention relates to a carrier hardware including a novel support for percussion instruments and to carrier assemblies supporting percussion instruments on a person while standing, walking or marching. In particular, the invention related to a combination of a carrier assembly with a novel receptacle for supporting J-rods thereon. 
   2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
   The prior art discloses many examples of apparatus for supporting percussion instruments but none providing the combination of features disclosed and claimed herein. 
   La Flame U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,683 discloses a carrier for percussion instruments having an abdominal plate connected at one end of a unitary frame partly encircling the wearer at the waist and having an upstanding rear portion pivotally connected to a back pressure plate. Shoulder bars are connected to the back-pressure plate and wrap about shoulders and support straps connect to the abdominal plate. 
   Hsieh U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,610 shows a carrier for percussion instruments having a “T” bar, a pair of shoulder bars, a belly plate. The shoulder bars are bolted on a lateral plate of the “T” bar. The lateral plate has arc-like slots and spaced semi-circular holes permit bolts to slide in the slots. The fastening end of each shoulder bar has a hole and an arc-like slot from the upper portion to the lower portion permitting angular adjustment of the shoulder rightward or leftward for various applications. 
   La Flame U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,032 shows a carrier for various instruments such as marching bells, a marching xylophone or a marching marimba, which are supported on the apparatus by the use of suitably-constructed extension arms. The carrier frame is a U-shaped bent bar welded or otherwise attached to a belly plate and has extension arms, which project from the belly plate to engage and support the instrument. 
   La Flame GB patent 2,123,676 (based on U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,442) discloses a carrier for percussion instruments or the like which includes the combination of a belly plate with a carrier bracket for supporting an instrument at an outwardly-overhung position about a fulcrum area of contact with the front waistline area of the person, a rigid band with a generally bent contour to extend along a portion of the waistline area of the person to the back of the person, a back-plate riser arm supported by the ban to extend in a generally upward direction such that a portion of the arm will extend along the back thoracic region of the person, and means carried by the arm for imparting to the thoracic back region of the person a reactive force to the overhung weight of the instrument about the aforesaid means forming a fulcrum area of contact with the person. 
   Dranchak U.S. Pat. No. 4,387,839 discloses a drum-supporting harness having two shoulder-hooks with cushion pads or liners, a breastplate secured to the hooks, and a hanger structure attached to the breast plate and depending therefrom. Upwardly-facing hooks, a spacer bar extending downward from the hooks, and a spacing abutment carried by the spacer bar and extending forward therefrom, are carried by the lower portion of the hanger structure. The hooks and the spacing abutment engage upper and lower portions of the body of the drum. The hanger structure is adjustable or extensible by means of overlapping strips, which can be secured in a number of different positions. An adapter assembly attaches to the upper rim portion of the drum for connecting of hooks  16  to the drum. 
   Other possibly relevant prior art is Pyle U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,357; May U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,910 and May U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,810. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One object of the invention is to provide a new and improved carrier for percussion instruments comprising a novel supporting vest and a clamp having polygonal recesses to receive and clamp J-rods or posts around their peripheries in spaced relation on said vest. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved carrier for percussion instruments comprising a novel T-bar carrier with belly plate, shoulder straps, and back bar, and a clamp having polygonal recesses to receive and clamp J-rods or posts around their peripheries in spaced relation on said vest. 
   Other objects of the invention will become apparent throughout the specification and claims as hereinafter related. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front isometric view of hardware for supporting a drum and having a novel clamping-receptacle for J-rods or tube thereon. 
       FIG. 2  is a front isometric view of and alternate embodiment drum and J-rod support shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front isometric view of a vest type carrier for supporting a drum and having a novel-clamping receptacle for J-rods or tube thereon. 
       FIG. 4  is an end view and  FIGS. 5–6  are left and right isometric views of the adjustable clamping receptacles for J-rods shown in  FIGS. 1–3 . 
       FIG. 7  is a view in end elevation of a novel double clamp for supporting a plurality of posts and/or J-rods. 
       FIG. 8  is a front isometric view of the clamp shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a rear isometric view of the clamp shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 10  is a front isometric view of the fully assembled carrier and supporting clamp of  FIGS. 4–6  with J-rods positioned in a normal position for supporting the drum and having a dovetail supporting base permitting adjustment in position of the clamp. 
       FIG. 11  is an end view of the clamp shown in  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 12  is a front isometric view of the fully assembled carrier and supporting clamp of  FIGS. 4–6  with J-rods positioned in a normal position for supporting the drum and having a double clamp for the supporting base permitting longitudinal and rotary adjustment in position of the clamp. 
       FIG. 13  is an end view of the clamp shown in  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 14  is a front isometric view of the fully assembled carrier and supporting clamp of  FIGS. 4–6  with J-rods positioned in a normal position for supporting the drum and having a side to side dovetail support for the base permitting adjustment in position of the clamp. 
       FIG. 15  is an end view of the clamp shown in  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 16  is a front isometric view of the fully assembled carrier and supporting clamp of  FIGS. 4–6  with J-rods positioned in a normal position for supporting the drum and having a slotted support for the base permitting adjustment in position of the clamp. 
       FIG. 17  is an end view of the clamp shown in  FIG. 16 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a T-bar-type carrier  10  for percussion instruments which comprises a belly plate  11 , vertical supporting rods or tubes  12  and  13  having outturned portions  14  and  15  supporting rigid shoulder straps  16  and  17  and back bar  18 . Back bar  18  may be removably secured to shoulder straps  18  or may be fixed as by welding or the like. 
   Belly plate  11  is removably secured on the lower ends of vertical rods or tubes  12  and  13  by clamping receptacles  19  and  20 . J-rod receptacles  21  and  22  are secured on belly plate  11  in slots  23  by screws or bolts or the like. J-rods  25  are secured in receptacles  21  and  22  by bolts  26 . The upper, out-turned ends  14  and  15  of supporting rods or tubes  12  and  13  are supported in clamping receptacles  27  and  28  on shoulder straps  16  and  17 . A clamp  29  holds rods or tubes  12  and  13  against lateral displacement. 
   The materials of construction used in this carrier  10  are very important for achieving the desired result. The belly plate  11 , vertical supporting rods or tubes  12  and  13 , shoulder straps  16  and  17  and back bar  18  are rigid and made of a light material such as plastic or a light metal such as aluminum, magnesium or titanium. The metal shoulder straps have the advantage that different sizes are readily accommodated. 
   Operation 
   The operation of this carrier should be apparent but will be described briefly for clarity. The carrier  10  is worn by the musician with the shoulder straps  16  and  17  positioned over the shoulders and the belly plate  11  supported against the abdomen. J-rods  25  are inserted in position and secured in place by tightening bolts  26 . The short outer ends of the J-rods  25  are inserted into the J-rod receptacles on the percussion instrument being carried, e.g., drums (single or array), cymbals, xylophone, marimba, or the like. 
   The carrier is adjustable to comfort the wearer and also to fit different sized instruments. Clamp-receptacles  27  and  28  permit pivotal, lateral and angular adjustment of shoulder straps  16  and  17  on the out-turned ends  14  and  15  of rods or tubes  12  and  13 . Clamp-receptacles  19  and  20  permit vertical sliding adjustment of rods or tubes  12  and  13 . Slots  23  in belly plate  11  allow lateral adjustment of clamp-receptacles  21  and  22  and angular adjustment of J-rods  25  supported therein. 
   Another Embodiment 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a T-bar-type carrier  30  for percussion instruments, which comprises a belly plate  31 , an inverted U-shaped vertical supporting rod or tube  32 . Rod or tube  32  has parallel portions  33  and  34  supporting belly plate  31 . Rigid shoulder straps  35  and  36  are secured on bar  37 . 
   Belly plate  31  is removably secured on the lower ends  33  and  34  of vertical rod or tube  32  by clamping receptacles  39  and  40 . J-rod receptacles  41  and  42  are secured on belly plate  31 . J-rods  45  are secured in receptacles  41  and  42  by bolts  46 . The upper U-portion of supporting rod or tube  32  is supported in clamping receptacle  47  on bar  37  to support shoulder straps  35  and  36 . 
   The materials of construction used in this carrier  30  are very important for achieving the desired result. The belly plate  31 , supporting rod or tube  32 , and shoulder straps  35  and  36  are made of a light material such as plastic or a light metal such as aluminum, magnesium or titanium. 
   Operation 
   The operation of this carrier should be apparent but will be described briefly for clarity. The carrier  30  is worn by the musician with the shoulder straps  35  and  36  positioned over the shoulders and the belly plate  31  supported against the abdomen. J-rods  45  are inserted in position and secured in place by tightening bolts  46 . The short outer ends of the J-rods  45  are inserted into the J-rod receptacles on the percussion instrument being carried, e.g., drums (single or array), cymbals, xylophone, marimba, or the like. The carrier is adjustable to comfort the wearer and also to fit different sized instruments. 
   Clamp-receptacle  47  permits pivotal adjustment of shoulder straps  35  and  36 . Clamp-receptacles  39  and  40  permit vertical sliding adjustment of rod or tube  32 . Clamp-receptacles  41  and  42  permit angular adjustment of J-rods  65 . 
   A Further Embodiment 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3–6 , there is shown a vest- or harness-type carrier  50  for percussion instruments, which comprises a vest portion  51 , shoulder straps  52  and back bar  53 . Back bar  53  is removably secured to shoulder straps  52  by screws or bolts and (optionally) has padding  55 . 
   Vest portion  51  is adjustably and removably secured to shoulder straps  52  by screws or bolts  54  which extend through elongated slots  56  which permits adjustment of the straps  52  relative to vest portion  51 . Shoulder straps  52  (optionally) have pads  57  to cushion the load of the instruments carried by carrier  50 . 
   Vest portion  51  has a pair of J-rod receptacles  58  secured by screws or bolts  59 . J-rods  60  are supported in receptacles  58  and secured in position by square head bolts  61 , which may be operated by a drum key (not shown). Receptacles  58  are cast or extruded and have an open edge portion  65  ( FIG. 6 ), which can flex to clamp J-rods  60  adjustably. 
   Receptacles  58  have an inner surface that is polygonal, in this case, hexagonal, in section, which provides a plurality of surfaces, which clamp the surface of the J-rods  60 . This is a superior clamping arrangement to set screws that provide only one or two point clamping contact. Holes  62  ( FIG. 6 ) in the base of each receptacle  58  are used for mounting by means of bolts or screws or the like. Aligned holes  63 ,  64  receive clamping screws  61  which operate on adjustment to clamp or to release the J-rod  60 . 
   The materials of construction used in this carrier  50  are very important for achieving the desired result. The vest portion  51  is preferably a strong, light-weight composite material such as Fiberglas®. Back bar  53  and shoulder straps  52  are rigid and made of a light metal such as aluminum, magnesium or titanium. Some prior art vests of this type have been of a one-piece Fiberglas® construction. There were incidents of failure of the shoulder straps from repeated flexing. 
   The metal shoulder straps do not fail in flexure and also have the advantage that different sizes are readily accommodated. The vest portion  51  can be of a single size and separate shoulder straps  53  of differing radii for small, medium, large or extra large size may be used or the straps  53  may be adjustable is in the additional embodiments described below. 
   Operation 
   The operation of this carrier should be apparent but will be described briefly for clarity. The carrier  50  is worn by the musician with the shoulder straps  52  positioned over the shoulders and the vest  51  supported against his abdomen. The straps  52  are adjustable by means of slots  56  and screws  54  and the J-rods  60  are adjustable in position by means of receptacles  58  and adjustment screws  61 . 
   Vest  51  may have suitable padding over its inner surface, as needed, at the belly plate or at suitable locations to avoid discomfort from the bolts or screws  54  used to assemble the straps to the vest or bolts or screws  59  used to assemble receptacles  58  on the vest. J-rods  60  are inserted in position and secured in place by tightening screws  61 . The short outer ends of the J-rods are inserted into the J-rod receptacles on the percussion instrument being carried, e.g., drums (single or array), cymbals, xylophone, marimba, or the like. 
   Double Facing J-Rod Receptacles and Application 
   In  FIGS. 7–9  there is shown a double facing receptacle for securing more than one J-rod or post. Receptacle  65  is cast or extruded and has a pair of open edge portions  66  facing in opposite directions which can flex to clamp J-rods or posts adjustably. Receptacles  65  have inner surfaces that are polygonal in section, which provides a plurality of surfaces, which clamp the surface of the J-rods or posts. 
   This is a superior clamping arrangement to set screws that provide only one or two point clamping contact. Holes  67  in the base of each receptacle are used for mounting by means of bolts or screws or the like. Aligned holes  78 ,  79  receive clamping screws, which operate on adjustment to clamp, or to release the J-rod or post secured therein. 
   Embodiment with Adjustably Positioned J-Rod Clamps 
   Referring to  FIGS. 10–11 , there is shown a vest- or T-bar-type carrier  80  for percussion instruments which comprises a vest portion or belly plate portion  81  having two pairs of J-rod receptacles  82  secured by screws or bolts. J-rods  83  are supported in receptacles  82  and secured in position by square head bolts  84 , which may be operated by a drum key (not shown). 
   Receptacles  82  are cast or extruded and have an open edge portion  88 , which can flex to clamp J-rods  83  adjustably. Receptacles  82  have an inner surface that is non-circular, e.g., polygonal, serrated, or the like, which provides a plurality of surfaces, which clamp the surface of the J-rods  83 . This is a superior clamping arrangement to set screws that provide only one or two point clamping contact. 
   Supporting base members  85  are secured on vest or belly plate  81 , having dovetailed recesses  86  for slidably supporting receptacles  82  and slots  89 . The receptacles  82  have a base portion  87  shaped to fit the dovetail recesses  86  for slidable movement therein. Aligned holes in receptacles.  82  receive square headed bolts  84 , which are operated by a drum key to clamp or to release the J-rod  83 . Square headed bolts  90  extend through slots  89  into receptacle base portions  87  and are operated by a drum key to clamp or to release the receptacles in position. 
   Operation 
   The operation of this carrier should be apparent but will be described briefly for clarity. The carrier  80  is worn by the musician with the vest or belly plate  81  supported against his abdomen. Receptacle bases  85  are secured on vest or belly plate  81  and support receptacles  82  for sliding movement in dovetail recesses  86 . Square-headed bolts  90  secure the receptacles in bases  85  for longitudinal adjustment of position therein. Square-headed bolts  84  are operated to clamp receptacles  82  around J-rods or tubes  83 . 
   Another Embodiment with Adjustably Positioned J-Rod Clamps 
   Referring to  FIGS. 12–13 , there is shown a vest- or T-bar-type carrier  91  for percussion instruments, which comprises a vest portion or belly plate portion  92  having two pairs of receptacles  93  secured thereon by screws or bolts. Supporting tubes  94  are supported in receptacles  93  and secured in position by square head bolts  95 , which may be operated by a drum key (not shown). 
   Receptacles  93  are cast or extruded and have an open edge portion  96 , which can flex to clamp tubes  94  adjustably Receptacles  93  have an inner surface that is non-circular, e.g., polygonal, serrated, or the like, which provides a plurality of surfaces, which clamp the surface of the tubes  94 . This is a superior clamping arrangement to set screws that provide only one or two point clamping contact. 
   Two part tube clamps  97  have mating portions  98  and  99  secured together to clamp tube  94  and J-rods  100 . Aligned holes in mating portions  98  and  99  receive square headed bolts  101 , which are operated by a drum key to clamp or to release the tube  94  and J-rod  100 . 
   Operation 
   The operation of this carrier should be apparent but will be described briefly for clarity. The carrier  91  is worn by the musician with the vest or belly plate  92  supported against his abdomen. Receptacle bases  93  are secured on vest or belly plate  92 . Square-headed bolts  95  secure supporting tubes  94  for longitudinal adjustment of position therein. Square-headed bolts  101  are operated to clamp two part clamp  97  around J-rod  100  or tube  94 . This construction permits independent vertical adjustment of J-rod  100  and rotary movement of the J-rod on supporting tube  94 . 
   Another Embodiment with Adjustably Positioned J-Rod Clamps 
   Referring to  FIGS. 14–15 , there is shown a vest- or T-bar-type carrier  102  for percussion instruments, which comprises a vest portion or belly plate portion  203  having a pair of J-rod receptacles  103 . J-rods  104  are supported in receptacles  103  and secured in position by square head bolts  105 , which may be operated by a drum key (not shown). 
   Receptacles  103  are cast or extruded and have an open edge portion  106 , which can flex to clamp J-rods  104  adjustably. Receptacles  103  have an inner surface that is non-circular, e.g., polygonal, serrated, or the like, which provides a plurality of surfaces, which clamp the surface of the J-rods  104 . This is a superior clamping arrangement to set screws that provide only one or two point clamping contact. 
   Receptacles  107  receive and support tubes  108  secured in position by square head bolts  109 , which may be operated by a drum key (not shown). A dovetailed rib  110  on receptacle  107  fits in a dovetailed recess  111  in receptacle  103  for sliding movement therein. Receptacle  103  has slot  112 , which receives a square head bolt  113  operated by a drum key to tighten the dovetailed connection and fix the receptacles  103  and  107  in a selected position. 
   Operation 
   The operation of this carrier should be apparent but will be described briefly for clarity. The carrier  102  is worn by the musician, with the vest or belly plate  203  supported against his abdomen. Receptacles  103  are secured on vest or belly plate  203  and support receptacles  107  for sliding movement in the dovetailed connection. Square-headed bolts  113  secure the receptacles  103  and  107  for longitudinal adjustment of position therein. Square-headed bolts  105  are operated to clamp receptacles  103  around J-rods  104 . 
   Another Embodiment with Adjustably Positioned J-Rod Clamps 
   Referring to  FIGS. 16–17 , there is shown a vest- or T-bar-type carrier  115  for percussion instruments, which comprises a vest portion or belly plate portion  116  having a pair of J-rod receptacles  117  and a pair of tube receptacles  118 . J-rods  119  are supported in receptacles  117  and tubes  120  are supported in receptacles  118 . Square head bolts  121  in receptacles  117  and square head bolts  122  in receptacles  118  are operated by a drum key (not shown) as in the other embodiments to clamp the J-rods  119  and tubes  120  in place. 
   Receptacles  117  and  118  are cast or extruded and have an open edge portion which can flex to clamp J-rods or tubes adjustably. Receptacles  117  and  118  have an inner surface that is non-circular, e.g., polygonal, serrated, or the like, which provides a plurality of surfaces, which clamp the surface of the J-rods or tubes. This is a superior clamping arrangement to set screws that provide only one or two point clamping contact. 
   Receptacles  117  have base portions  123  and slots  124  for mounting to the belly plate  116 . Receptacles  117  are secured in position by square head bolts  125 , which may be operated by a drum key (not shown). Receptacles  118  have base portions  126  and slots  127  for mounting to the belly plate  116 . Receptacles  118  are secured in position by square head bolts  128 , which may be operated by a drum key (not shown). 
   Operation 
   The operation of this carrier should be apparent but will be described briefly for clarity. The carrier  115  is worn by the musician, with the vest or belly plate  116  supported against his abdomen. Receptacles  117  and  118  are secured on vest or belly plate  116 . Square-headed bolts  125  and  128  secure the receptacles  117  and  118  for longitudinal adjustment of position therein. Square-headed bolts  121  and  122  are operated to clamp receptacles  117  and  118  around J-rods  119  and tubes  120 . 
   While this invention has been described fully and completely, with special emphasis on several preferred embodiments and/or applications, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.