Patent Publication Number: US-11646004-B2

Title: Snare drum throw off

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/990,050, filed Mar. 16, 2020, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a snare drum throw off system, and more particularly, pertains to supporting a throw off component within a drum, for activating/inactivating the throw off component, and for adjustably tensioning the throw off component and its tone. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The use of drum accessories is known in the prior art. More specifically, drum accessories previously devised and utilized for the purpose of creating drum music are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, do not describe a snare drum throw off system that allows supporting a throw off component within a drum, for activating/inactivating the throw off component, and for adjustably tensioning the throw off component and its tone. 
     In this respect, the snare drum throw off system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of supporting a throw off component within a drum, for activating/inactivating the throw off component, and for adjustably tensioning the throw off component and its tone. 
     Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved snare drum throw off system which can be used for supporting a throw off component within a drum, for activating/inactivating the throw off component, and for adjustably tensioning the throw off component and its tone. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the disadvantages inherent in the known types of drum accessories now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved snare drum throw off system. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved snare drum throw off system and method which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. 
     In general, in one aspect a snare drum throw off is provided. The throw off includes a pivot block pivotally attachable to a side wall of a drum for rotation about a first axis between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The pivot block has an upper extent that is configured for attachment to a snare. A minor cylinder has opposed first and second ends, a first longitudinal bore extending entirely through the minor cylinder between the first and second ends thereof, and a first cam surface. A major cylinder has opposed first and second ends, a second longitudinal bore extending entirely through the major cylinder between the first and second ends thereof, and a second cam surface. 
     A length of the major cylinder is disposed within the first longitudinal bore with the first and second cam surfaces in contact with each other, and such that the major cylinder is rotatable about a second axis between a first rotation position and a second rotation position and such that major cylinder slidable back-and-forth along the second axis between a first slide position and a second slide position. 
     In the first rotation position the contact between the first and second cam surfaces positions the major cylinder in the first slide position, and in the second rotation position the contact between the first and second cam surfaces positions the major cylinder in the second slide position. 
     A tension bolt has first and second ends, the tension bolt extends through the second axial bore with the first end thereof threadedly attached to the pivot block, the second end of the tension bolt has a head engaged against the second end of the major cylinder. A spring is held captive between the pivot block and the minor cylinder and biases the pivot block in a direction away from the minor cylinder and into the disengaged position. 
     When the major cylinder is disposed in the first slide position, the pivot block is disposed in the disengaged position, and when the major cylinder is disposed in the second slide position, the pivot block is disposed in the engaged position. In the disengaged position, an attached snare is disengaged from contact with the drumhead. And in the engaged position, the snare is engaged in contact with the drumhead. 
     The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarding as limiting. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
     Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following drawings illustrate by way of example and are included to provide further understanding of the invention for the purpose of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. Identical reference numerals do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference numeral may be used to indicate a similar feature of a feature with similar functionality. In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a front elevational view of a snare drum throw off system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a cross sectional view taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a cross sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a side elevational view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a cross sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a cross sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a cross sectional view taken circle  7  of  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a front elevational view of a snare drum throw off system constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  9    is a side elevational view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG.  8    with the throw off component in an inoperative orientation; 
         FIG.  10    is a side elevational view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG.  8    with the throw off component in an operative orientation; 
         FIG.  11    is an end elevational view taken at line  11 - 11  of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  12    is a plan view taken at line  12 - 12  of  FIG.  9    with the throw off component in an inoperative orientation; 
         FIG.  12 A  is an enlarged showing taken at circle  12 A of  FIG.  12    with the throw off component in an operative orientation; and 
         FIG.  13    is an exploded view of the adjustment assembly of the  FIG.  12   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS.  1 - 7    thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved snare drum throw off system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     The present invention, the snare drum throw off system is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other to attain the desired objective. In their broadest context, such invention is a system for use with a snare drum having a throw off component with a fixed end and a repositionable end. 
     An activating/inactivating assembly is coupled adjacent to a side wall of the drum adjacent to the repositionable end of the throw off component. The activating/inactivating includes a handle operatively coupled to the throw off component. Rotating the handle in a first direction will tighten the throw off component to an operative orientation. Rotating the handle in a second direction will loosen the throw off component to an inoperative orientation. 
     An adjustable tensioning assembly includes a tensioning bolt having a head and a threaded end coupled with respect to the throw off component. Rotating the knurled head in a first direction will adjustably tighten the throw off component. Rotating the knurled head in a second direction will adjustably loosen the throw off component. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 7   . From a specific point of viewpoint, the present invention is a snare drum throw off system  10  for supporting and engaging and disengaging a snare  12  of a drum  14 , for activating/inactivating the throw off component tensioning the throw off component and its tone. 
     The supporting and the activating/inactivating and the adjustably tensioning being done in a safe, convenient, and economical manner. The system includes the drum  14  having a top and a bottom with a cylindrical side wall  18  there between and a chamber there within. 
     Next provided is the snare  12 . Such component has a fixed end positioned within the chamber with a strap  22  extending to exterior of the chamber and a central extent diametrically positioned within the chamber. The activation/inactivating assembly  28  is coupled to the side wall of the drum adjacent to the repositionable end of the throw off component. The activation/inactivating assembly includes a mounting bracket  30  having opposed facing walls  32  with a fixed guidepost  34  between the facing walls. Attachment members  36  couple the mounting bracket to the drum. Two pivot posts  38  are parallel with but spaced above the guidepost. 
     The activating/inactivating assembly includes a handle  40  formed with a central section  42  in an inverted U-shaped configuration and with two parallel linear sections  44  terminating in free ends. The free ends attached to the pivot posts by bolts. A strip clamp  48  and an adjustment pull  50  are secured to the linear section. A coil spring  52  urges separation between the strap and the adjustment. The strap is wrapped around the guidepost and attached to the strap clamp. Rotating the handle in a first direction will tighten the throw off component to an operative orientation. Rotating the handle in a second direction will loosen the throw off component to an inoperative orientation. 
     Lastly provided tensioning assembly  56  which includes a tensioning bolt  58  having a knurled head  60  and a threaded end  62 . The tensioning bolt extends through the adjustment guide and is threadedly coupled to the pull strap. Rotating the knurled head in a first direction will adjustably tighten the throw off component and its tone. Rotating the knurled head in a second direction will adjustably loosen the throw off component and its tone. 
     An alternate embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS.  8 - 13   . From a specific point of viewpoint, the invention is a snare drum throw off system  100  for engaging and disengaging a snare  112  of drum  114 , for activating/inactivating a drum snare, and for adjustable tensioning the snare and the related tone of the drum. The supporting and the activating/inactivating and the adjustably tensioning are done in a safe, convenient, and economical manner, the system includes the drum  114  having a top and a bottom with a cylindrical side wall  118  there between and a chamber therewithin. 
     Provided next is snare  112  having a fixed end positioned within the chamber and a repositionable end with  122  positioned within the chamber. Next, an activating/inactivating  128  assembly is coupled to the side wall of the drum adjacent to the repositionable end of the snare. The activating/inactivating assembly  128  includes a pivot block  130 . The pivot block has an upper extent  132  attached to the end support and a lower extent  134  with an axis of rotation and a central extent  136 . Fixed blades  138  are with the chamber attached to the side wall and pivotably supporting the lower end of the pivot block. 
     The activating/inactivating assembly  128  includes a minor cylinder  140  with a threaded interior end  142  within the chamber and a cam surface  144  with a recess  146  exterior of the chamber. A nut  148  is on the threaded interior end attaching the minor cylinder to the side wall. A coil spring  150  urges the pivot block away from the nut. 
     The activating/inactivating assembly  128  includes a major cylinder  154  with an extended interior section terminating adjacent to the pivot block. The major cylinder has a free section  156 . The major cylinder has an intermediate section with a cam surface  158  with a projection  160  exterior of the chamber. The major cylinder includes a handle  164  for rotating the major cylinder in a first direction with the projection outside of the recess and the throw off component moving to an inoperative orientation. The handle is also for rotating the major cylinder in a second direction with the projection within the recess and the throw off component moving to an operative orientation. 
     Lastly provided, an adjustable tensioning assembly  168  includes a shaft  170  with a threaded end  172  and a knurled head  174 . The shaft extends through the major cylinder and the minor cylinder and the coil spring and is threadedly coupled to the central section of the pivot block. Rotating the knurled head in a first direction will adjustably loosen the throw off component and vary the tone. Rotating the knurled head in a second direction will adjustably loosen the throw off component and vary the tone. 
     While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the following claims.