Patent Publication Number: US-2018040313-A1

Title: Outdoor musical drum structures

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,679, filed Jun. 28, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/292,274, filed Oct. 13, 2016, now U.S. Pat. 9,734,808, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/241,978 filed Oct. 15, 2015, the content of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Research has found that learning and playing music facilitates learning other subjects and enhances skills that children inevitably use in other areas. Childhood is the time when children learn about their world, primarily through play. If a play environment contains sufficiently rich musical elements, there will be a continuous exposure to new musical elements followed by the child&#39;s playful experimentation and learning. 
     SUMMARY 
     A drum with a tuned configuration is presented. The drum comprises a head configured to produce a sound when struck. The drum also comprises a shell configured to resonate the sound. The drum also comprises a base configured to couple to the shell and hold the drum in an orientation. The drum also comprises a set of fasteners configured to maintain the head in the tuned configuration. The drum is configured to substantially maintain the tuned configuration throughout an operational lifetime. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of drums in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of an outdoor drum in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an outdoor drum in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of an outdoor goblet drum in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an outdoor drum in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a drain assembly for a drum in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a flow diagram of a method of permanently installing a drum in an outdoor environment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a flow diagram of a method of installing a drum in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B  illustrate cut away views of base mounting systems in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     The present disclosure relates to embodiments of outdoor drum installations that are configured to be sustainable, durable and allow a user to produce robust and true sound. Musical instruments can produce sound through a variety of mechanisms, depending on the type of instrument and sound desired. For example, drums, guitars, and trumpets all allow a user to produce sound through different mechanisms. However, many instruments are not easily optimized for prolonged use in an outdoor recreational environment. In addition, instruments that are designed for sustainability often lack the configuration and proper composition that allow the user to produce robust sound. One solution is to create outdoor musical instrument structures optimized for outdoor recreation areas, such as playgrounds and parks, without inhibiting a user&#39;s ability to produce robust sound. Another important consideration for outdoor musical instrument structures is the ability for all interested users to engage the structures. For example, at least some embodiments described herein may be configured to allow for play by users of all heights and abilities. For example, in some embodiments, the instruments are configured to allow for increased accessibility for users in a wheelchair. 
     Providing an outdoor musical instrument presents many logistical challenges. The outdoor environment presents temperatures at both hot and cold extremes. Further, an outdoor musical instrument is also exposed to weather—wind, rain and particulates. Additionally, maintaining consistent tuning is also a problem, as outdoor areas are designed for infrequent, or no regular maintenance. Also, there are theft prevention concerns, requiring that no part of the instrument be easily removed, but without inhibiting use. For at least these reasons, musical instruments require significant design for permanent installation and use in an outdoor environment, and cannot merely be transferred from an indoor environment to an outdoor environment. Additionally, there are vandalism concerns. While indoor instruments are typically used under supervision, outdoor musical instruments may be used in areas with little or no supervision at all. Therefore, it is important that outdoor musical instruments be constructed to withstand vandalism. 
     Also a playground environment has unique considerations that other environments lack. Playgrounds have minimal supervision, whereas an indoor musical instrument is normally operated under supervision of a teacher and a child only uses it alone after professional training. Playgrounds ideally require infrequent (or no regular) repairs, whereas an indoor musical instrument is fragile and requires regular repair and cleaning. While some embodiments are described herein in the context of permanent installation within a playground environment, at least some embodiments are also suited for installation in other outdoor recreational areas, such as parks, for example. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of drums in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Drum set  100 , in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , comprises a kundu drum  110 , a kettle drum  120 , and a goblet drum  130 . In one embodiment, drum set  100  is arranged as shown in  FIG. 1 . In other embodiments, the drums  110 ,  120 , and  130  could be arranged in any other configuration. In other embodiments, drum set  100  may include fewer or more drums, or different types of drums than those enumerated. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of an outdoor drum in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Drum  200 , in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , comprises a drum head  202 , a shell  204 , a mount  206 , a drain  208 , a shield  210  and fasteners  212 . In one embodiment, components of drum  200  are weather resistant. In one embodiment, the components of drum  200  are theft/vandalism resistant. 
     Drum head  202  is configured to create sound in conjunction with shell  204 . Drum head  202 , in one embodiment, comprises a weather resistant and strike-resistant material. In one embodiment, drum head  202  comprises a material configured to, once stretched to a desired tension, maintain a tensed position. Drum head  202  may also comprise a material that experiences little or no expansion/contraction in response to temperature changes, such that the sound produced does not change with changing seasonal temperatures. Drum head  202  must also comprise a durable material configured to resist cracking or breaking due to temperature changes and/or vandalism. In one embodiment, drum head  202  comprises plastic. In one embodiment, drum head comprises an Ultraviolet Light (UV) stabilized polycarbonate. A polycarbonate drum head  202  may, for example, produce a better sound quality than previous designs which have used polyethelyne, LLDPE, or PVC, which produce a lower quality sound, for example a duller drum sound when struck. In another embodiment, drum head comprises ABS. However, drum head  202  can be made of any material that is weather resistant, requires little or no maintenance, and maintains the sound quality at installation, over its installed lifetime. For example, in one embodiment, drum head  202  is configured to maintain sound quality, such that a retuning step is not require after a year-long exposure period. In one embodiment, drum head  202  is configured such that sound quality is substantially the same after 5 years. In another embodiment, drum head  202  is configured such that sound quality is substantially the same after 10 years. In a further example, drum head  202  is configured such that sound quality is substantially the same after 15 years. 
     In one embodiment, shell  204  is configured to resonate the sound created by striking drum head  202 . Shell  204  in one embodiment, has an open interior that may be shaped as desired to create different sounds. In one embodiment the shape of shell  204  is a semi sphere. In other embodiments the shape of shell  204  is a cylinder or other shapes suitable for a desired sound. The thickness of shell  204  may be selected to control the resonance and volume of the drum  200 , for example, a thinner shell  204  will be louder and have more resonance than a thicker shell  204 . The diameter of shell  204  may control the pitch of the drum  200 , for example, a larger diameter will create a lower pitch. The diameter of shell  204  may also change the projection of drum  200 , for example, a larger diameter will create more projection and a higher volume. A depth of shell  204  may also control the projection and volume of drum  200 , for example, the greater the depth of shell  204 , the quieter drum  200 . In one embodiment, the shape of shell  204  is at least configured partially to allow for liquid drainage. Shell  204  can be made of various materials. In one embodiment, shell  204  is made out of a corrosion-resistant steel. In another embodiment, shell  204  is made out of aluminum. 
     Mount  206 , in one embodiment, is configured to couple to, and support shell  204 . Mount  206 , in one embodiment, is configured to maintain an orientation of shell  204  and drum head  202  such that a user in a wheelchair can use the drum  200 , e.g. at a certain height and angle. In one embodiment, mount  206  maintains a minimum knee clearance of 27,″ as recommended by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), for sufficient accessibility by a user in a wheelchair. In one embodiment, mount  206  is configured to permanently couple to the ground. In one embodiment, mount  206  is a mounting mechanism configured to attach to another structure. Mount  206  is, in one embodiment, made out of a durable material. In one embodiment, mount  206  comprises steel. In one embodiment, mount  206  comprises aluminum. Other embodiments may envision using other materials. 
     In one embodiment, drum  200  comprises a drain  208 . In one embodiment, drain  208  is a hole in a bottom of shell  204 . In another embodiment, drain  208  is a component coupled to shell  204  configured to remove liquid. Drain  208  may serve several purposes such as draining any precipitation caught in shell  204 , preventing animal inhabitation in shell  204  and allowing sound to escape shell  204 . In one embodiment, drain  208  comprises a rust or corrosion-free material. In one embodiment, drain  208  comprises a plastic material. In another embodiment, drain  208  comprises stainless steel. 
     Shield  210  is coupled to shell  204  or to drum head  202 , in one embodiment. Shield  210  may serve many purposes. Shield  210  may be configured, in one embodiment, to protect edges of shell  204  and drum head  202 , as well as any fasteners  212 . Shield  210  may also protect users from sharp edges or other surfaces that may pose a danger. Shield  210  may also be more aesthetically pleasing than the edges of shell  204 , drum head  202 , or fasteners  212 . In one embodiment, shield  210  comprises plastic. In one embodiment, shield  210  comprises polyurethane. In another embodiment, shield  210  comprises foam. In another embodiment, shield  210  comprises metal. In one embodiment, shield  210  is coupled to shell  204  and/or drum head  202  through use of one or more fasteners  212 . In one embodiment, fasteners  212  comprise a snap fitting. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an outdoor drum in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Drum  300 , in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , comprises a head  302 , a shield  304 , a shell  306 , and a base  308 . Base  308 , in one embodiment, is coupled to shell  306  and holds the drum  300  in a semi-permanent orientation, such that it can be moved by a professional installer, but not by a standard user. Base  308 , in one embodiment, is attached semi-permanently to the ground or another mounting structure. Base  308 , in one embodiment, is attached permanently to the ground or another mounting structure. In one embodiment, base  308  is attached to the ground through the use of a direct burial method. In another embodiment, base  308  is attached to the ground through the use of a flange and anchors in a surface mount to the ground. In another embodiment, base  308  is attached to a playground structure. In one embodiment, base  308  is metal. In one embodiment, base  308  comprises steel. In one embodiment, based  308  is plastic. In some embodiments, base  308  is comprises another weather resistant material. 
     Shell  306  may be coupled to base  308  through a variety of fastening mechanisms. In one embodiment, shell  306  is welded to base  308 . In another embodiment, shell  306  is coupled to base  308  through the use of one or more fasteners. In another embodiment, shell  306  and base  308  are manufactured as one component. In one embodiment, shell  306  has an inner open space. The inner open space may increase the quality of sound produced. The open space within shell  306  may also cause many problems in an outdoor environment. The open space may gather rain water or be inhabited by animals, for example spiders, wasps, small mammals, etc. A small drain hole, in one embodiment, may be present on shell  306  to allow any collected precipitation to drain. But, in one embodiment, the hole is small enough to inhibit animals entering shell  306 . 
     Shell  306 , in one embodiment, is coupled to drum head  302 . Drum head  302  and shell  306 , in one embodiment, are the active components of drum  300  that generate sound. In one embodiment, drum head  302  is less than 30″ wide. In one embodiment, drum head  302  is greater than 25″ wide. However, other appropriately sized shells can also be used, in other embodiments. An open space within shell  306  allows the sound generated by drum head  302  to resonate and create a more robust sound. 
     Drum head  302 , in one embodiment, is configured for durability in an outdoor environment. In one embodiment, drum head  302  comprises polycarbonate. In other embodiments, drum head  302  comprises another weather resistant material. Drum head  302  is, in one embodiment, tensioned across, and coupled to, drum shell  306 . In one embodiment, however, drum head  302  is tensioned on a rigid ring, which is coupled to shell  306 . Often drum heads have weakened edges where they connect to their tensioning points. In an indoor environment, this is not generally an issue. Tensioning, in one embodiment, occurs during installation. In one embodiment, drum head  302  comprises a durable, weather proof material configured to maintain an installed sound after a period of outdoor exposure without the need for a retuning. For example, the drum head  302  may be configured, once tensioned, to maintain a tensioned position (and, therefore, produce substantially the same tuned sound) after an exposure period of one year, five years, ten years, fifteen years or longer. 
     However, in an outdoor environment, the delicate edges of a drum head may be more exposed to extreme conditions or at risk of damage by untrained, often younger, users. To protect against potential damage, a shield  304  can be attached to shell  306  or drum head  302 . Shield  304 , in one embodiment, is plastic. In another embodiment, shield  304  comprises metal. Material shield  304 , in one embodiment, comprises a material selected based on a particular installation zone, safety concerns, strength, weather resistance, and aesthetics. In one embodiment, shield  304  is configured to maintain a tension on drum head  302 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of an outdoor goblet drum in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , shows one possible assembly of a drum  400 . In one embodiment, base  408  is permanently attached to the ground. In another embodiment, base  408  is attached to another structure. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , shell  406  is received by base  408 , and is coupled to base  408  through use of a rivet. In another embodiment, shell  406  could be coupled to base  408  by welding. In other embodiments, shell  406  is coupled to base  408  through the use of other suitable fastening mechanisms. Drum head  402 , in one embodiment, is coupled to shell  406  through the use of fasteners  405 . In one embodiment, fasteners  405  provide a required tension across head  402 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , head  402  is pre-tensioned onto an attachment point of a ring, such that it produces a desired installed sound. Fasteners  405 , in one embodiment, also couple shield  404  to shell  406 . In another embodiment, shield  404  snap fits onto shell  406 . A snap fitting may also be configured to, in one embodiment, provide tension across head  402 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an outdoor drum in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Outdoor drum  500 , in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , comprises a base  508 , a shell  506 , a head  502  and a shield  505 . Base  508  is permanently attached to a surface  510 . In one embodiment, surface  510  is the ground. However, in other embodiments, base  508  could be mounted to another playground structure. In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , base  508  comprises shell  506 . In other embodiments, however, base  508  is attached to shell  506  through a fastening mechanism. Shell  506 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , is an elongated cylinder which attaches to drum head  502 . The shape of shell  506  can greatly influence the sound produced by drum  500 . As such, the shape of shell  506  can be selected, in other embodiments, based on a desired sound and is not intended to be limited to the illustrated embodiments. 
     Drum head  502  is tensioned and coupled to shell  506 . In one embodiment, head  502  is tensioned by stretching, and then coupling, to shell  506 . In another embodiment, head  502  is pre-tensioned onto a ring, which is coupled to shell  506 . In one embodiment, head  502  is greater than 12 inches wide. In one embodiment, head  502  is lesser than 24 inches wide. The edge of drum head  502  is protected by shield  505 . Shield  505  may also, in one embodiment, provide tension to drum head  502 . With different shapes of shell  506  can come many different problems, especially in an outdoor environment where precipitation and animal inhabitation are potential problems. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a drain assembly for a drum in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , drum assembly  600  comprises a drain  613 , fasteners  615 , shell  606 , and base  608 . One of the largest problems with adapting an instrument for outdoor use is the outdoor weather conditions such as rain and unintended animal inhabitation within sound reverberating spaces, accessible by a drain. Combatting these considerations requires a balance between draining precipitation, and not allowing animal inhabitation. One embodiment, such as drum  600 , fulfills both requirements by providing a drain  613 . 
     Drain  613  is coupled to a bottom side of shell  606  through the use of one or more fasteners  615 . In one embodiment, drain  613  is located on the bottom side of shell  606 , utilizing the force of gravity to drain any potential precipitation enters shell  606 . In one embodiment, drain  613  is a single small hole located in shell  606 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , drain  613  comprises a screen  617  that is attached to shell  606 . In other embodiments, screen  617  could also be a mesh, filter, or other suitable configuration. A screen, such as screen  617  will allow water to drain, prevent animals from entering into shell  606  and also allow sound to escape shell  606 . One consideration in the design of drain  613  is that the outdoor play equipment must be operable for long periods of time without maintenance. The holes located on drain  613  must be large enough to allow water to drain, but small enough to not allow animal inhabitation by, for example, wasps or other dangerous animals. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a flow diagram of a method of permanently installing a drum in an outdoor environment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Method  700  may be useful for permanently installing one or more drums in a recreational environment. 
     At block  702  the drum is installed. Unlike indoor instruments, outdoor instruments are installed substantially permanently, as indicated at block  750 . Permanently, in one embodiment, is defined as contained within a playground and resistant to theft. In one embodiment, at block  702 , the instrument is mostly assembled and permanently coupled to an attachment point at a playground. An attachment point at a playground would include another structure, as indicated at block, as indicated at block  756  or the ground, as indicated at block  754 . In one embodiment, the drum is installed semi-permanently, as indicated at block  752 . 
     At block  704  the drum is tuned. With regard to indoor instruments, tuning an instrument is generally done at the beginning of any practice or performance. With regard to an outdoor instrument, tuning must last much longer than that for an indoor instrument. In one embodiment, a drum configured for outdoor use may need to maintain an installed tuning configuration for an outdoor exposure period with substantially no maintenance. For example, a drum may need to maintain a tuning configuration for over 1 year, over 5 years, over 10 years, over 15 years or longer without tuning. 
     In one embodiment, a drum head comes pre-tuned on a ring, as indicated at block  758  and does not require any tuning; it would only require assembly. In another embodiment, the drum head is tuned on-site after installation in a head to shell configuration, as indicated at block  760 . Because of the outdoor environment, the instrument must be tuned in such a way that outdoor conditions do not easily cause the drum to deviate from an installed tuning configuration. Therefore, in one embodiment, the drum head comprises a material that does not experience significant contraction or expansion with changes in ambient temperatures, which can change significantly from season to season. 
     At block  706  the drum is maintained. Block  706  is optional and may not always be performed. An example of maintenance would be replacing broken parts, as indicated at block  762 . A desired characteristic of playground equipment is that it is substantially maintenance free. In one embodiment, the materials chosen and the design of the instruments in embodiments described herein achieve a low maintenance outdoor installed drum. In one embodiment, the drum maintains substantially the same sound after prolonged exposure to weather elements as it has at installation. However, in some embodiments, maintenance only concerns replacement of broken parts, as the drum maintains a tuned configuration without need for periodic retuning. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a flow diagram of a method of installing a drum in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Method  800  may be useful for permanently installing one or more drums in a recreational environment. 
     At block  802  the mounting base is configured. Configuring the mounting base may, in one embodiment, involve different steps depending on the type of mounting desired. In one embodiment, the mounting base may be the ground. In another embodiment, the mounting base may be another play structure. In another embodiment, the mounting base may be an exterior wall of a building, or other structure. In one embodiment, the base may be mounted into the ground through direct burial. In one embodiment, through a ground surface mount with the utilization of anchors and flanges. In one embodiment, if the mounting structure is another structure, the base may be coupled to the structure through the use of bolts or may be welded. 
     At block  804  the drum shell is configured. At block  804 , the drum set shell is coupled to the base. In one embodiment, the drum shell is already attached to the base and blocks  802  and  804  are completed simultaneously. In one embodiment, the drum shell and base are oriented in such a way as to allow access to users who may be in a wheelchair. 
     At block  806  the drum head is attached. The drum head is attached to the drum shell. In one embodiment, the drum head is tensioned over the drum shell. In another embodiment, the drum head is attached to a rigid ring that tensions it and that rigid ring is attached to drum shell. 
     At block  808  the drum head is tuned. Tuning the drum head requires providing the correct tension across the drum head in order to achieve a desired sound when struck. In one embodiment, tuning the drum comprises applying tension to a drum head, for example by stretching the drum head into a tuned configuration. Once the appropriate tension is acquired, the drum head is locked into place and the tension is maintained. In one embodiment, the drum head is pre-tensioned onto a ring, which is then installed. In another embodiment, the drum head is tuned during installation. 
     At block  810  the shield is configured. In one embodiment, the shield is coupled to the drum shell and covers the edge of the drum head. In one embodiment, the shield merely protects the edge of the drum head. In another embodiment, the shield helps provide the tension across drum head and keep drum head in tune. In one embodiment, all of the fasteners and coupling mechanisms used to install the drum are theft resistant. In one embodiment, all of the fasteners are weather resistant. 
       FIG. 9A  illustrates a base mounting system. Base mounting assembly  900 , in one embodiment, comprises fastener  912 , base  908  and flange  910 . Mounting flange  910  extends out from base  908 . Mounting flange  910  provides a flat surface on the bottom to contact the ground and apertures therethrough to allow fasteners  912  to pass through and anchor to the ground. In one embodiment, fasteners  912  are concrete wedge anchors. In another embodiment, fasteners  912  can be any device that could attach a flange to the ground. 
       FIG. 9B  illustrates a cutaway view of a mounting assembly. Base mounting assembly  950 , in one embodiment, comprises a base  958  and a footing  960 . Base  958  extends into the ground and into footing  960 . Footing  960  may comprise concrete, in one embodiment. In another embodiment, footing  960  is just a solid piece of ground. Footing  960  may comprise any material so as long as base  958  is secured to the ground with minimal movement. 
     In one embodiment, once installed, for example using either of methods  700  or  800 , a drum, for example any of the drums described herein, is configured to withstand significant force. Because of the risk of damage due to weather, and the risk of vandalism, installed outdoor drums may need to be much more durable than their indoor counterparts. For example, in one embodiment, a drum head is configured to withstand the force of a user kicking, or hitting it, without cracking. In one embodiment, a drum head is configured to withstand 3500 lbs over a 6″×6″ portion of the surface without deforming or cracking. In one embodiment, the drum head is configured to withstand 4000 lbs over a 6″×6″ portion of the surface without deforming or cracking. In one embodiment, a drum head is configured to withstand heat of up to 130° F. without cracking or deforming. In one embodiment, multiple compliance objectives are simultaneously satisfied—for example a drum head may withstand being kicked, or hit, while heated to 130° F. In one embodiment, a drum head is configured to withstand the force of an adult baseball bat swing without experiencing significant deformation or cracking. Such scenarios may be part of a compliance testing step, completed during installation, or pre-installation testing. 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.