Patent Publication Number: US-8981194-B2

Title: Drumstick

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention generally pertains to drumsticks. and more particularly to a drumstick having a core tube, a multiplicity of micro-spheres and a resilient sleeve which function in combination to produce an improved wooden drumstick. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Most drumsticks are made from solid hickory and maple wood and a minority are made from either tubular aluminum with or without a plastic sleeve located over the major impact zones of the drumstick. The advantages of drumsticks made of wood is that they have that desired “wood feel” which includes light weight and flexural characteristics. The disadvantages of wood are the lack of durability, inconsistent strength and the damage wood causes to cymbals in the transferring of wood particles into the pours in the cymbal&#39;s metal. Metal drumsticks having a protective sleeve work well until the cymbal invariably cuts thru the sleeve and causes an impact contact between two metal surfaces causing potential damage to expensive cymbals. Wood also can cause undesirable vibrations and reverberations which are tiring to the drummer. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any literature or patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. However, the following U.S. patents are considered related: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 PATENT NO. 
                 INVENTOR 
                 ISSUED 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 3,722,350 
                 Cordes 
                 27 Mar. 1973 
               
               
                 3,958,485 
                 Peters 
                 25 May 1976 
               
               
                 4,320,688 
                 Donohoe 
                 23 Mar. 1982 
               
               
                 4,385,544 
                 Heiskell 
                 31 May 1983 
               
               
                 5,179,237 
                 Grossman 
                 12 Jan. 1993 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The U.S. Pat. No. 3,722,350 patent discloses a drumstick comprised of a hollow, cylindrical, metal tube, open at both ends and provided with a straight, cylindrical tip end portion of reduced diameter. A plastic tip is secured to the rear end of the drumstick. A plastic coating or sleeve is disposed along the larger diameter of the cylindrical portion of the drumstick. Variations in the sound characteristics can be achieved by varying the length of the reduced diameter, cylindrical tip portion. 
     The U.S. Pat. No. 3,958,485 patent discloses a drumstick thrilled from a thermoplastic nylon matrix material and other reinforcing agents such as chopped fiberglass or carbon fibers. The drumstick body is hollow and includes a plurality of longitudinally disposed internal ribs for increasing stiffness and a vibration dampener disposed within to eliminate structural vibrations or reverberations which occur when a drumstick is struck against a solid surface such as the rim of a drum. 
     The U.S. Pat. No. 4,320,688 patent discloses a synthetic drumstick formed from a central hollow core into which is inserted a flexible tapered stud member. A glass-filled nylon skin is molded over both the central core and the flexible stud member. 
     The U.S. Pat. No. 4,385,544 patent discloses a drumstick made of flat fabric rolled upon itself repeatedly about a central axis. A material impregnating all of the layers of fabric holds the fabric tribe together. 
     The U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,237 patent discloses a metal drumstick having a replaceable sheath of plastic material thereon to prevent damage to drums and cymbals. The drumstick is constructed to minimize vibration ordinarily associated with metal drumsticks. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is designed to improve the dynamic playing characteristic of a wooden drumstick or any other type of drumstick and to increase its useful life. In its basic design configuration the inventive drumstick is comprised of: 
     An elongated structure comprising a first section and a second section. The first section has a front end, a rear end, a radiused outer surface and a flat inner surface, wherein the flat inner surface having a first half of a radiused opening that extends longitudinally. The second section has a front end, a rear end, a radiused outer surface and a fiat inner surface, wherein the flat inner surface having the second half of a radiused opening that extends longitudinally. The second half of the radiused opening is aligned with the first half of the radiused opening to form a longitudinally extending circular bore having a front end and a rear end, 
     A core tube dimensioned to fit into the circular bore. The tube has a front end that extends outward from the front end of the elongated structure and a rear end that extends inward from the rear end of the elongated structure, 
     A drumstick tip having a front radiused surface and a rear flat surface having a tip Cavity that is dimensioned to fit over the front end of the core tube, and 
     A rear cap inserted into the circular bore on the elongated structure. 
     The drumstick is comprised of two identical half sections that are made from adjacent wood blanks. Both sections have a longitudinal center radius on one face which are then bonded together around a small core tube. The tube, which protrudes outward from the front longitudinal tip end, increases the rigidity of the drumstick. The two half sections produce a rectangular shape that when assembled create a centered bore running the entire longitudinal length of the drumstick. The core tube, which is preferably comprised, of a carbon composite or other high-strength fibers, is bonded in the centered bore to provide strength as a structural member that supports the wood laminate. The core tube can also include an internal metal bushing approximately 1-inch in length that is bonded inside the tip section of the core tube. 
     Over the outer forward longitudinal section for approximately two-thirds of the drumstick length, starting or the tip end is a pre-molded urethane sleeve. The sleeve is adhesively attached onto the mid-section and the front tapered area. Beyond the front of the sleeve extends the front end of the core tube into which is inserted and bonded a plastic or wooden tip that will not release during use. 
     At the rear end of the drumstick is located a cavity that is followed by a smaller cavity. The cavity is filled to a specific level with a blend of glass micro-spheres that aid in reducing vibrations. The cavity is then sealed with the rear cap. 
     In view of the above disclosure the primary object of the invention is to produce a drumstick having a longer useful life and that provides improved playing characteristics while maintaining the feel of a conventional wooden drumstick. 
     In addition to the primary object of the invention it is also an object of the invention to produce a drumstick that:
         can replace conventional wooden drumsticks,   provides greater playing comfort for a drummer,   can be effectively used for an extended period of time compared to a conventional drumstick, and   is cost effective from a consumer&#39;s point of view.       

     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevational side view of a drumstick having two partial cut-away views. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view taken along the lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken along the lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken along the lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along the lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along the lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of a drumstick tip inserted over a core tube. 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged cross-sectional side view showing a multiplicity if glass microspheres inserted into a larger second cavity. 
         FIG. 9  is an elevational side view showing a cut-away that includes a metal bushing inserted into the core tube. 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the lines  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged orthographic top and side view of a wood structure prior to dividing the wood structure into a first section and a second section. 
         FIG. 12  is an elevational side view of an unfinished wood drumstick showing a core tube protruding from the front end. 
         FIG. 13  is a partial cross-sectional view showing the placement of a core tube and a metal bushing. 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines  14 - 14  of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines  15 - 15  of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines  16 - 16  of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines  17 - 17  of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms that disclose a preferred embodiment of a drumstick. The preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1-17 , is comprised of the following major elements: the drumstick  10 , an elongated structure  12 , a core tube  56 , a metal bushing  62 , a drumstick tip  64 , an obstruction  72 , a multiplicity of glass micro-spheres  78 , a rear cap  80  and a resilient sleeve  82 . 
     The elongated structure  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-17 , is comprised of a first section  14  and a second section  30 . The first section  14  has a front end  16 , a rear end  18 , a radiused outer surface  20  and a flat inner surface  22 . Extending from the front end  18  is a first cavity  75  followed by a second cavity  76 . The flat inner surface  22  has a first half  24  of a radiused opening  26  that extends longitudinally across the elongated structure  12 . The elongated structure  12  is made of wood that is preferably selected from the group consisting of hickory, maple and poplar. 
     The second section  30  has a front end  32 , a rear end  34 , a radiused outer surface  36  and a flat inner surface  18 . The flat inner surface  38  has a second half  40  of a radiused opening  42  that extends longitudinally and that is aligned with the radiused opening  26  on the first section  14  to form a longitudinally extended circular bore  46  having a front end  48  and a rear end  50 . The circular bore  46  has a preferred diameter of 0.231 inches. The elongated structure  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , tapers inward commencing from its substantial center  52  to the front end  16 . 
     The core tube  56 , as shown best in  FIG. 7 , is dimensioned to fit into the circular bore  46 . The tube  56  has a front end  58  that extends outward from the front end  16  of the elongated structure  12  and a rear end  60  that extends inward from the rear end  18  of the elongated structure  12 . The core tube  56  which has a length that ranges from 55-percent to 90-percent of the total length of the elongated structure  12 , has a diameter ranging from 0.187 to 0.312 inches and is preferably made of a carbon composite material or other high strength fibers. The care tube  56  is bonded to the circular bore  46  by an adhesive  28 . To maintain the rigidity of the core tube  56 , and to enhance the structural integrity of the drumstick  10 , a metal bushing  62  can be inserted into the front mild  58  of the core tube  56 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     The drumstick tip  64 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , has a front radiused surface  66  and a rear flat surface  68 . The rear flat surface  68  has a tip cavity  70  that is dimensioned to fit over the front end  58  of the core tube  56 , with the remaining flat surface  68  of the tip  64  interfacing with the front end  16  of the elongated structure  12 . The drumstick tip  64  is made of a material selected from the group consisting of a plastic such as NYLON™, DELRIN™ and hardwoods. The tip  64  is attached to the core tube  56  by an adhesive  28 . 
     The obstruction  72 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , is formed within the circular bore  46  adjacent the rear end  60  of the core tube  56 . The obstruction  72  can consist of a material that is pressed against the area surrounding the rear end  60  of the core tube  56  or a plug  74  that is inserted into the rear end of the core tube  56 . The plug  74  is made of a material selected from the group consisting of cork, rubber, plastic and wood. 
     The multiplicity of glass micro-spheres  78 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 8 , are inserted into the second cavity  76  located at the rear end  18  of the elongated structure  12 . The spheres  78  have a diameter that ranges from 0.003 inches to 0.30 inches and are designed to reduce drumstick vibrations when the drumstick  10  strikes the edge of any percussion instrument. 
     The rear cap  80  is dimensioned to he inserted into the circular bore  46  on the elongated structure  12 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The glass micro-spheres  78  remain captured between the rear cap  80  and the obstruction  72 . 
     The final element that comprises the drumstick  10  is the resilient sleeve  82  that is placed over and bonded onto the radiused outer surface  20  of the elongated structure  12 . The sleeve  82  extends from the front end  16  of the elongated structure  12  to a selectable longitudinal length that is typically two-thirds the longitudinal length of the elongated structure  12 . The sleeve  82  has a Shore hardness ranging from 90 A to 65 D a wall thickness ranging from 0.030 inches to 0.090 and a length ranging from 7.0 inches to 11.0 inches. The sleeve  82  is bonded to the radiused outer surface  20  of the elongated structure  12  by a urethane based moisture reactive adhesive. 
     The process for producing the drumstick  10  comprises the following steps:
         A. Provide a wood blank  86  having a rectangular cross-section and a length that accommodates the length of the drumstick  10 .   B. Produce an elongated structure  12  from the wood blank  86 , wherein the elongated structure  12  comprises:
           (1) a first section  14  having a front end  16 , a rear end  18 , and a first half  24  of a radiused opening  26  that extends longitudinally across said elongated structure  12 ,   (2) a second section  30  having a front end  32 , a rear end  34 , and a second half  40  of a radiused opening  42  that extends longitudinally and that is aligned with the first half  24  of the radiused opening  26  on the first section  14  to form a longitudinally extending circular bore  46 , having a front end  48  and a rear end  50 ,   
           C. Insert a metal bushing  62  into the front end  58  of the core tube  56 ,   D. Apply an adhesive  28  to the first section  14  and to the second section  30 ,   E. Place the core tube  56  into the radiused opening  36  of the second section  30 ,   F. Place the first section  14  over the second section  30  and clamp the two sections together for at least sixty minutes,   G. Profile a diameter over the rectangular area of the first section  14  and the second section  30 ,   H. Bond a resilient sleeve  82  over the profiled diameter,   I. Attach a drumstick tip  64  over the front end  58  of the core tube  56 ,   J. Coat the handle area of the drumstick  10  with lacquer or urethane,   K. Cut the handle area of the drumstick  10  to a selectable length,   L. Produce a larger cavity  76  that extends from the rear end  18  of the drumstick  10 ,   M. Fill the larger cavity  76  with a selectable quantity of glass micro-spheres  78 , and   N. Bond a rear cap  80  to the rear end  18  of the drumstick  10 .       

     While the invention has beer described in detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modification may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the claims.