Patent Abstract:
A marching drum articulation dampener for percussion instrument holder that allows attachment to a user mounted carrier. The holder allows adjustment for positioning about the user, and pivoting of the holder to allow the holder to pivot or rotate up to allow the holder with instruments to fit a narrower space. The holder further allows for pivotal attachment of individual drums to link or pivot allowing the linked drums to articulate. The holder can also consist of members that allow a connected drum to move in horizontal position, angle, or height of the drum. A plurality of unique drum connecting members is disclosed that allow the connecting members to connect onto drum tension rods or on a drum lug. A lift assisting mechanism is used to assist in lifts drums from a horizontal to a vertical orientation.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/106,315 filed Jan.22, 2015 the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    This invention relates to new and useful improvements in apparatus for supporting or carrying percussion instruments, particularly drums of various kinds that arrest the rotational energy when drums are rotated into the playing position. 
         [0007]    2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
         [0008]    The prior art discloses many examples of apparatus for supporting percussion instruments but none providing the combination of features disclosed and claimed herein. 
         [0009]    May U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,492 discloses hardware for supporting drums that is of a hinged construction and has one part of the hinge connectable to an external support, e.g., J-rods on a fixed support or a marching drum carrier, and another part of the hinge connectable to the shell of a drum or to the tension rods on a drum or to other hardware on the drum. 
         [0010]    May U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,257 shows a variety of drum hardware and drums secured thereon preferably supported on a vest type carrier or a T-bar carrier or a fixed post or pedestal. 
         [0011]    May U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,290 shows a hinged support for an array of drums. 
         [0012]    May U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/756,479, filed Jan. 8, 2001, allowed Jan. 28, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,403,869 that issued on Jun. 11, 2002 shows a hinged support for one or more drums having means for adjusting the position of a drum to a fixed support or drum carrier. The hinged support may be for an array of drums having means for adjusting the position of the drum array pivotally and inwardly and outwardly relative to fixed drums. 
         [0013]    Other possibly relevant prior art is Pyle U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,357, May U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,072,910, 5,300,810, 6,881,886, 6,770,805, RE42,487, 7,166,790, 7,326,842, 7,394,008, 7,420,110, 7,673,776, 7,718,878, 8,053,655 8,598,443, and 9,214,142. 
         [0014]    Various prior inventions have been disclosed that attempt to provide percussion positioning and locating apparatus, but none of the listed inventions provide the combination of features and functions proposed by the disclosed carrier. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    A percussion instrument holder that allows attachment to a user mounted carrier. The holder allows adjustment for positioning about the user, and pivoting of the holder that allows the holder to slide, pivot or rotate to allow the holder with instruments to fit a narrower space and mitigate the cantilevered load of the drums/instruments being transferred while the player is at rest. The holder further allows for optional pivotal attachment of individual drums to link and pivot to allow the linked drums to articulate. The drums can be fully adjusted in relation to one another, similar to moving links in a chain. The holder can also consist of members that allow a connected drum to move in horizontal position, angle, or height of the drum. 
         [0016]    One of the objects of this invention is to provide anew and improved hinged support for an array of drums for support on a pedestal or marching type carrier with means to control the free fall energy when the drums are rotated/lowered to a playing position. The mechanical dampening and/or assist integrated into the hinge allows all the instrument/s to comfortably come to rest connected to the rail to hinge as a group thus eliminating harsh stop forces to the player&#39;s back, neck and shoulders. 
         [0017]    Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved hinged support for an array of drums for support on a pedestal or marching type carrier having means for adjusting the position of a drum array relative to fixed drums thereon. 
         [0018]    Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved hinged support for an array of drums for support on a pedestal or marching type carrier having means for adjusting the position of a drum array pivotally and inwardly and outwardly relative to fixed drums thereon. Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved hinged support for an array of drums for support on a pedestal or marching type carrier having means for adjusting the position of the drums in a drum array relative to each other. The adjustment on the tenor rail or back bar can be narrowed or widened, offset left or right to balance weight. The adjustments can allow the drums to move or slide closer or further away from the body for playing comfort. 
         [0019]    Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved hinged support for an array of drums for support on a pedestal or marching type carrier having novel means for supporting the drums thereon. 
         [0020]    Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved hinged support for drums for support on a pedestal or marching type carrier by J-rod supports or post, channel, tube or track(s) with receiving hardware. 
         [0021]    Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved means for connecting a hinged support for an array of drums for support on individual drums. 
         [0022]    Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved means for connecting a hinged support for an array of drums for support on individual drums, and having hinged sliders for the supporting J-rods of the hardware. 
         [0023]    Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved supporting hardware supporting an array of drums, as in a marching drum assembly, having a tubular structure supporting a plurality of drums for pivotal and inward and outward adjustment of the drums. 
         [0024]    Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved hinged support having a back bar or tenor bar or rail for supporting an array of drums for support on a pedestal or marching type carrier in which drums are adjustably supported on rails of a back bar assembly and having J-rod supports adjustable supported thereon. 
         [0025]    Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved hinged support having a back bar assembly for supporting an array of drums for support on a pedestal or marching type carrier in which the back bar assembly is adjustable in length for adjusting the location of drums thereon. 
         [0026]    Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved hinged support for an array of drums for support on a pedestal or marching type carrier having means for pivotally adjusting the position of one drum in the array relative to another. 
         [0027]    Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved supporting hardware supporting an array of drums, and having connecting bridges(s) and/or integrated connecting bridge(s) that utilize existing lug casing holes in the drums. 
         [0028]    It is still another object of the invention is to provide an extension mechanism or damper that both assists in rotating a secured drum or array of drums from the horizontal playing configuration to a vertical orientation and/or cushions the motion of returning the drum or array of drums to a playing orientation with the aforementioned hinge hardware. 
         [0029]    Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a front isometric view of a carrier with J-rod hardware for supporting one or more drum(s) in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of an embodiment of supporting hardware supporting an array of drums, as in a marching drum assembly, having hinged sliders for the supporting J-rods of the hardware. 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a detail isometric view of part of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a detail view in side elevation of the pivoted hinge in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a detail view in side elevation of the pivoted hinge in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  with the hinge in a tilted position. 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective cross-sectional view of drum to carrier mounting hardware in a lowered orientation. 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective cross-sectional view of drum to carrier mounting hardware embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  in a raised orientation. 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is a second preferred embodiment showing the dual posts system secured to an instrument carrier with a drum assembly that is mountable on the dual post system. 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  shows the components of a second preferred embodiment of a dual post system that is mounted to an instrument carrier from  FIG. 8 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 10  is a third preferred embodiment showing a dual track single post system that is mounted to an instrument carrier for use with a single drum. 
           [0040]      FIG. 11  shows an instrument carrier according to another preferred embodiment. 
           [0041]      FIG. 12  shows an array of drums connected with the lug bridge. 
           [0042]      FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of the articulating and/or pivoting drum hardware in the deployed orientation. 
           [0043]      FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of the articulating and/or pivoting drum hardware in the lifted orientation. 
           [0044]      FIG. 15  shows a perspective view of the articulating and/or pivoting drum hardware with drums in the deployed orientation. 
           [0045]      FIG. 16  shows a perspective view of the articulating and/or pivoting drum hardware with drums in the lifted orientation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0046]      FIG. 1  is a front isometric view of hardware for supporting a drum in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. In this figure, there is shown a tubular or T-bar-type carrier  10  for percussion instruments which comprises a belly plate  311 , vertical supporting rods, tubes or pipes  312  and  313  having outturned portions  314  and  315  supporting rigid shoulder supports  316  and  317  and back bar  318 . Back bar  318  may be removably secured to shoulder supports  318  or may be fixed as by welding or the like. 
         [0047]    Belly plate  311  is removably secured on the lower ends of vertical rods, tubes or pipes  312  and  313  by clamping receptacles  319  and  320 . J-rod receptacles  321  and  322  are secured on belly plate  311  in slots  323  and  324  by screws or bolts or the like. J-rods  325  are secured in receptacles  321  and  322  by bolts  326 . The upper, out-turned ends  314  and  315  of supporting rods, tubes or pipes  312  and  313  are supported in clamping receptacles  327  and  328  on shoulder supports  316  and  317 . A clamp  329  holds rods, tubes or pipes  312  and  313  against lateral and or torque displacement. 
         [0048]    The materials of construction used in this carrier  10  are very important for achieving the desired result. The belly plate  311 , vertical supporting rods, tubes or pipes  312  and  313 , shoulder supports  316  and  317  and back bar  318  are rigid and made of a light material such as plastic or a light metal such as aluminum, magnesium or titanium. The metal shoulder supports have the advantage that different sizes are readily accommodated. 
       Operation 
       [0049]    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 supports  316  and  317  positioned over the shoulders and the belly plate  311  supported against the abdomen. J-rods  325  are inserted in position and secured in place by tightening bolts  326 . The short outer ends of the J-rods  325  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. 
         [0050]    The carrier is adjustable to comfort of the wearer and also to fit different sized instruments. Clamp-receptacles  327  and  328  permit pivotal, lateral and angular adjustment of shoulder supports  316  and  317  on the out-turned ends  314  and  315  of rods, tubes or pipes  312  and  313 . Clamp-receptacles  319  and  320  permit vertical sliding adjustment of rods, tubes or pipes  312  and  313 . Slots  323  and  324  in belly plate  311  allow lateral adjustment of clamp-receptacles  321  and  322  and angular adjustment of J-rods supported therein. 
         [0051]    Refer now to  FIGS. 2-5  that shows a hinge assembly  120  for supporting a multiple drum assembly or array  121  as used in marching bands. Hinge assembly  120  is similar in function to those shown in FIGS. 23-17 of May U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,257 with additional features permitting adjustability that is not possible in the embodiment of the patent. 
         [0052]    Multiple drum assembly or array  121  ( FIGS. 2, 3 ) comprises at least one drum  122  secured for support and carrying by a drummer as in a marching band. Drum array  121  includes drum  122  supported on the fixed part of a hinge assembly. In this embodiment, hinge assembly  120  provides a hinged support between the drum array  121  and a suitable marching carrier. 
         [0053]    Hinge assembly  120  ( FIGS. 2, 3 ) comprises a back bar assembly that is the fixed member of the hinge. Back bar assembly  123  has two end pieces  124  each of which comprises a one-piece casting having a flat portion  125  with a bent portion  126  bent at a right angle thereto. 
         [0054]    Flat portion  125  has J-rod receptacles  127  formed integral therewith, in which J-rods are supported. A socket member  128  is secured on each flat portion  125 . Socket member  128  has two cylindrical rods  130  that fit on opposite ends into receptacles  129 . Clamp member  136  supports drum  122  on rods  130 . J-rod receptacles  127  are clamped on rods  130  by a split clamp having a base portion  131  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) and clamping portion  132  secured thereon by bolts  133 . Base portion  131  is hinged to receptacle  127  at  134 . The upper two bolts  133  extend through base portion  131  and clamping portion  132  and, when tightened, clamp the receptacle  127  on rods  130 . The lowermost bolt  133  extends through base member  131  to engage receptacle member  127  and, when tightened, tilts the clamping members  131 ,  132  as in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . A dampener  163  is positioned to absorb the rotation of the drum  122  or drum array as it rotates into the playing position. A magnet  169  can be used to withdraw the piston of the damper when the drum or drum array is being rotated. 
       Operation 
       [0055]    Hinge assembly  120  is supported by positioning J-rod receptacles  127  over J-rods  135  on a marching carrier or on a fixed drum support. Drum  122  is supported on rods  130  and is movable thereon. Drum  122  is supported on rods  90  for sidewise adjustment, and permits adjustment of the spacing if more than one drum  82  is positioned thereon. Rods  130  can be tilted in relation to J-rod receptacles  127  by operation of the lowermost bolt  133  as described above. 
         [0056]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective cross-sectional view of carrier to drum mounting hardware in a lowered orientation and  FIG. 7  shows a perspective cross-sectional view of carrier to drum mounting hardware in a raised orientation. 
         [0057]    In these figures the drum&#39;s mounting rod  135  is secured in receiver  127 . The drum or drum array is secured to the rail or support  131 . The rail or support  131  rotates through pivoting axis  134 . Piston extension or damper  163  cushions travel of the drum or drum array as the drum or drum array moves to the playing position. The end of the piston extension or damper  163  has a ball  182  that is secured in a socket receiver  181 . The socket receiver  181  is a flexible spring type material that allows the ball  182  to be withdrawn and inserted into the receiver  181 . The ability to remove the piston extension or damper  163  engagement from the receiver allows a performer to take the drum or drum array off of an instrument carrier. The drum or drum array can then be re-installed on the instrument carrier and the ball  182  can then be re-engaged into the socket  181 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 8  shows another preferred embodiment with a parallel quad track incorporating two post system secured to an instrument carrier with a drum assembly that is mountable on the parallel quad track system receiver. The shoulder supports and or back member may optionally include padding  553 . The tubular carrier shown includes an abdomen plate  530  that is secured or can float on the structure without being rigidly secured to first bifurcated structure  510 . In the embodiment shown the first bifurcated structure  510  is shown and described as a single structure but it is contemplated that the structure could be fabricated in two halves where each half is secured to the abdomen plate to form the structure. Tubes  536  and  538  of the carrier bend and extend into first bifurcated structure  510  where they are positioned and lockable in position using tightening hardware  578 . The tubes  260  slide in first bifurcated structure  510  and in second bifurcated structure  350  to allow for positioning of the drum array and drum hardware  460 . In the embodiment shown the second bifurcated structure  350  is shown and described as a single structure but it is contemplated that the structure could be fabricated in two halves where each half is secured to the tubes or shafts  260 . The tubes, posts or shafts  260  can be movable  452 , as well as the second bifurcated structure  350  can be fabricated to be movable  453  independently. 
         [0059]    In operation the upper tube  422 , from the drum array, is lowered  451  into the essentially vertical slot until the bottom tube  421  from the drum array rests on the bottom radius or saddle ( 353  from  FIG. 39 ). The cantilevered weight of the drum array will rotate the drum array until the upper tube  422  of the drum supporting array sits in the top radius ( 354  from  FIG. 9 ). It is contemplated that the shafts, posts or tubes  260  can be fabricated as an integral part of either first bifurcated structure  510  or the second bifurcated structure  350  to allow for only one adjustment. 
         [0060]      FIG. 9  shows the components of a dual post quad track system that is mounted to an instrument carrier. For a better understanding of the components and how they relate,  FIG. 9  should be viewed in combination with  FIG. 8 . In  FIG. 9  the first bifurcated structure  510  is shown. This first bifurcated structure  510  has a rounded back that matches the contour of the abdomen plate that the structure in mounted on. On the front of the first bifurcated structure  510  linear dual tracks  340  and linear dual tracks  341  and the tubes  260  are securable with sets screw  331 . The parallel linear quad tracks provide a first quad track structure. The tracks are located essentially parallel to the abdomen plate and at a location that is distal from the abdomen plate in a vertical orientation. It is contemplated that the abdomen plate  530  can float on the structure without being rigidly secured to first bifurcated structure  510 . The first bifurcated structure  510  further includes mounting clamps  320  for securing tubular shafts for connection with the shoulder supporting portion of a carrier. The connection with the tubular portion of the shoulder supported portion of the carrier. A locking mechanism is threaded or fastened into the carrier at  330  to pinch or thread into the tube(s)  536  or  538  ( FIG. 8 ). 
         [0061]    In  FIG. 9  tubes  260  are slid  301  and  302  into the linear quad tracks  340  and  341  respectively. The linear tracks  340  and  341  have male dovetail recesses that engage in female dovetail recesses in tubes or rods  260 . The tubes or shafts  260  are locked in location on the linear tracks of the first bifurcated structure  510  with a securing means such as a set screw. The second bifurcated structure  350  engages on the tubes  260  between the first bifurcated structure  510  to allow independent movement of the second bifurcated structure  350 . The second bifurcated structure  350  has similar recess  351 ,  352  and dovetail engagement with the tubes or shafts  260  as in the first bifurcated structure  350 . The second bifurcated structure  350  is secured to the tubes or rods  260  with securing means such as a set screw  332 . In the front of the second bifurcated structure a pair of essentially vertically oriented slots exists for loading at least one drum or an array of drums. The vertical slots have a bottom radius or saddle  353  and a top radius  354  for locating the drum or drum array in the essentially vertically oriented slots. A further description of the vertical slots for securing one or more drums is shown and described in more detail with  FIG. 8 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 10  shows a view of the drum tracking system for use with a single drum  11 . The carrier  10  comprises an abdomen plate  530 , with lower support rods  532  and  534 . The figure also has upper body vertical support rods or tubes  542  and  544 . The upper and lower body support rods or tubes are connected to each other with a retainer  300  that keeps the tubes in a parallel relationship. The lower rods or tubes  532  and  534  independently spread to parallel portions  536  and  538  where they attach to supporting abdomen plate  30 . Upper rods or tubes  542  and  544  having out-turned portions  545  and  546  supporting rigid shoulder straps  550  and  555  and back bar  570 . Back bar  570  may be removably secured to shoulder straps  550  and  555  or may be fixed as by welding or the like. Shoulder straps  550 ,  555 , and back bar  570  have cushions  551 ,  553  and  554 , respectively. The cushions are of a type used to pad the interior of football and other sports helmets and enclose separate blocks which are separately compressible and provide more comfort to the wearer of the carrier when fully loaded. 
         [0063]    The abdomen plate  530  is secured to the bridge supports  590  with a pivot  522  that extends through ears  524  on the abdomen plate  530 . The placement of the pivot through the center of the bridge support  590  allows the abdomen plate to rotate a limited amount on the pivot(s)  522 . The pivoting allows the abdomen plate to move with the user without significantly altering the position of the carrier on the user. The pivots can be tightened slightly to provide frictional or limited pivoting as well as loosened to allow for free pivoting. It is also contemplated that the abdomen plate  530  is removably secured on carrier. 
         [0064]    Clamping receptacle(s)  580  and  581  consist of a semi-circular receptacle that tubes  536  and  538  fit through. Tightening hardware  582  and  583  clamps the tube or rod to secure them within the receptacle and prevent movement. The clamping receptacle(s)  580  and  581  are secured on abdomen plate  530 . The receptacles are shown mounted to the abdomen plate  530 , and the tubes can be re-positioned within the receptacle, but the receptacles can be mounted to slots that allow the locations of the receptacles to be moved. The upper, out-turned ends  545  and  546  of supporting rods or tubes are supported in clamping receptacles  592  and  594  on shoulder straps  550  and  555 . Clamps  592  and  594  hold rods or tubes  545  and  546  on the shoulder supports. Clamping mechanisms  592  and  594  consist of a semi-circular receptacle that tubes  545  and  546  fit through. Tightening hardware  598  and  599  clamps the tube or rod to secure them within the receptacle and prevent movement. A single tube or shaft  260  is used to connect with a single drum  11  through a sliding cradle  584 . 
         [0065]    The sliding cradle  584  connects to the single tube or shaft  260  with dovetail grooves. A second set of dovetail grooves exist on the bridge support member  590 . The bridge support member  590  has male dovetail grooves that mate with the female dovetail groves in the tube or shaft  260 . A similar set of male dovetail features  585  exist on the sliding cradle  584 . These dovetail features are arranged to allow the sliding cradle to slide  86  past the bridge support member  590 . The sliding cradle  584  has a recessed cradle  587  for connection with the hinge pins  515  of a single drum  11 . The hinge pin  515  is secured to the drum  11  with a rotation hinge plate. The rotation hinge plate  12  and its connection to the drum is shown and described in more detail in my prior patent (May U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,492). 
         [0066]      FIG. 11  shows an instrument carrier according to another preferred embodiment. This figure shows a Tubular type carrier  10  for percussion instruments that comprises an abdomen plate  30 , with lower support tubes or rods  32  and  34 . The figure also has upper body vertical support rods or tubes  42  and  44  that are supported mid-span with a retainer  300 . In the figure shown the coupler is a fixed member that holds the tubes in rigid position, but it is also contemplated that the coupler could be a hinge or an adjustable coupler that allows the distance between the upper and lower portions of the carrier to be adjusted as well as a single or compound hinged coupler that allows the carrier to be folded as shown in May U.S. Pat. No. 7,166,790 and May U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,407. 
         [0067]    The lower rods or tubes  32  and  34  are bent where they independently spread to parallel portions  36  and  38  where they attach to supporting abdomen plate  30 . Upper rods or tubes  42  and  44  having out-turned portions  45  and  46  supporting rigid shoulder straps  50  and  55  and back bar  70 . Back bar  70  may be removably secured to shoulder straps  50  and  55  or may be fixed as by welding or the like. Shoulder straps  50 ,  55 , and back bar  70  have cushions  53 . The cushions are of a type used to pad, the interior of football and other sports helmets and are shown in more detail in co-issued May U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,257. The cushions have a backing strip of polyvinyl plastic film. A thin sheet of polyvinyl film encloses blocks of closed pore plastic (e.g., polystyrene or polyurethane) foam and is sealed to the backing strip to enclose separate blocks which are separately compressible and provide more comfort to the wearer of the carrier when fully loaded. The abdomen plate  30  is removably secured on the lower ends of tubes or rods  32  and  34  by the left and right halves of the first bifurcated structure  311  and  312  respectively where each half uses semi-circular clamping receptacle that tubes  36  and  38  fit through. In the embodiment shown the first bifurcated structure is shown and described in two halves it is contemplated that these two halves can be fabricated as a single (attached) unit. Tightening hardware  78  and  79  (not visible) clamps the tube or rod to secure them within the left and right halves of the first bifurcated structure  311  and  312  prevent movement. The two halves of the first bifurcated structure  311  and  312  are secured on abdomen plate  30 . The clamping receptacles are shown mounted to the abdomen plate  30 , and the tubes can be re-positioned within the clamping receptacle, but the clamping receptacles (part of first bifurcated structure  311  and  312 ) can be mounted into slots or without fasteners that penetrate the abdomen plate, such as hook and loop, that allow the locations of the clamping receptacles to be free floating on the abdomen plate. The upper, out-turned ends  45  and  46  of supporting rods or tubes are supported in clamping receptacles  92  and  94  on shoulder straps  50  and  55 . Clamps  92  and  94  hold rods or tubes  45  and  46  on the shoulder supports. Clamping mechanisms  92  and  94  consist of a semi-circular receptacle that tubes  45  and  46  fit through. The bolts  98  and  99  are tightening to clamp the tube or rod to secure them within the receptacle and prevent movement as shown in May U.S. Pat. No. 7,071,401. 
         [0068]    The materials of construction used in this carrier  10  are very important for achieving the desired result. The abdomen plate  30  is preferably made from a flexible material to aid in contouring to the player&#39;s profile and size. The supporting rods or tubes  32 ,  34 ,  42 , and  44 , shoulder straps  50 ,  55  and back bar  70  are rigid and made of a light metal such as aluminum, magnesium or titanium. The metal shoulder straps have the advantage that different sizes of users are readily accommodated by adjusting or replacing the shoulder straps in a vertical or horizontal plane. 
       Operation 
       [0069]    The operation of this carrier should be apparent but will be described briefly for clarity. The carrier  10  is worn by a musician with the shoulder straps  50  and  55  positioned over the shoulders. The position of the shoulder straps and the upper portion of the carrier can be adjusted by loosening bolts  78  and  79  for vertical adjustment of the shoulders. When the bolts  98  and  99  are loosened, clamps  92  and  94  open to allow tubes  42  and  44  to slide within the clamps. When the clamps are loose, the position of the clamps on the shoulder straps can also be adjusted. The vertical adjustment of the shoulder straps allows users of different sizes to use the carrier. The width between the shoulder straps can also be adjusted by rotating the tubes  42  and  44  within retainer  300 . When tubes  42  and  44  are rotated the width of the shoulder straps are moved in and out. The rotational adjustment allows the tubes to be toe-in so the width and or the position of the tubes can be adjusted. The toe-in adjustment is mostly used with tubular construction, but a similar adjustment could be made with other types of carrier construction. The abdomen plate  30  is attached to the left and right halves of the first bifurcated structure  311  and  312  and then to rods  36  and  38  that are inserted in position and secured in place by tightening bolts  78  and  79 . The parallel ends of the rods  36  and  38  are inserted into the receptacles on the abdomen plate. When bolts  78  and  79  are loosened, receptacles move on tubes  36  and  38  can be moved to allow positioning of the abdomen plate on the carrier. This adjustment allows the carrier to accommodate user of various sizes. The left and right bifurcated structure  311  and  312  have an additional attachment mechanism for the percussion instrument being carried e.g., drums (single or array), cymbals, xylophone, marimba, or the like that will be further described herein. 
         [0070]    The tubular carrier shown includes an abdomen plate  30  that is secured or can float on the structure without being rigidly secured to the halves of the first bifurcated structure  311  and  312 . The support rods or tubes  34  and  36  of the carrier bend and extend into their respective halves of the first bifurcated structure  311  and  312  where they are positionable and lockable in position. The tubes  260  slide in their respective halves of the first bifurcated structure  311  and  312  to allow for positioning  402  of the drum array  410  and drum hardware  420  independently from the positioning of the distance between the shoulder supports  50 ,  55  and the abdomen plate  30 . In operation the drum array tube  420  from the drum array is lowered  401  into the essentially horizontal saddle  403  until the tube  420  from the drum array rests on the bottom radius of the half tube saddle portion  62 . The cantilevered weight of the drum array will rotate the drum array binding the dovetail rib  66  ( FIG. 2 ) of the half tube portion  62  with one end portion  65  to fit one of the dove tailed grooves  41  and a dove tailed rib  66  fitting into an adjacent groove. The drum array tube  420  can side horizontally along the half tube portion  62  where the drum array is justified left or right of the player. 
         [0071]    Drum array tube  420  is lowered  401  into the half tube saddle portion  62  where it is retained. The retention is shown and described in more detail with  FIGS. 2-4 . The slide bracket  63  connects with a set of parallel tracks that mate with the tubes or shafts  260  to allow the half tube saddle portion  62  to secure the drum array, and can be raised or lowered  402  on the tubes or shafts  260 . Drum array side member(s)  405  connect the tube  420  to the drum array  410 . The drum array tube  420  can side horizontally in the half tube portion  62  such that the drum array is justified drum array tube  420  is marked to identify the balance position or other indicia to identify a particular location. Another contemplated feature is to include one or more stops on the drum array tube  420  to limit side (slide) movement of the drum array in the half tube saddle portion  62 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 12  shows an array of drums  200  connected with a plurality of lug bridges. The drum array  200  is shown with a plurality of drums  203  mounted on a tenor back bar or rail  201 . A plurality of lug bridge attachment hardware  211 ,  212  and  213  connects the drums together. Lug bridge connectors  210  and  214  connects from the drum array to the tenor back bar or drum supporting hardware  201 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of the articulating drum hardware in the deployed orientation. The drums are not shown in this figure to provide greater visibility of the components in the deployed orientation. The deployed orientation is where the drums are in a playing mode where the playing surfaces of the drums are essentially horizontal. In this figure an extension mechanism or damper  163  is incorporated into the drum supporting hardware. The extension mechanism in this figure is a gas filled strut, but the extension mechanism or damper  163  could be a spring, a damper or other similar device. The extension mechanism or damper  163  is secured to a plate or arm  160  with an optional slot  161  that allows the mounting nut  165 , bolt  164  and/or fastener to be positioned and secured to the plate  160 . The plate  160  is secured with hardware  167  on spacer or plate  168  to the hinge plate  50  that pivots on the tenor back bar  201 . 
         [0074]    The opposing end to the extension mechanism or damper  163  is secured with a spacer  166  that aligns the extension mechanism or damper  163  with the plate  160  and the hinge plate  50 . One lug bridge connector  214  is visible and secured to the hinge plate  50 . When the extension mechanism expands  170  it assists in lifting the drum array that is secured to the hinge plate  50 . When the drum array is lowered the extension mechanism or damper compresses and also provides some cushion to the end of the stroke of the extension mechanism or damper  163 . When the extension mechanism or damper  163  is completely extended the playing surfaces of the drums is essentially vertical. 
         [0075]      FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of the articulating drum hardware in the lifted orientation. In this figure the extension mechanism or damper  163  has the rod  162  extended. With the rod extended the hinge plate  50  is rotated on the tenor back bar or rail  201 . One lug bridge connector  214  is visible and secured to the hinge plate  50 . When the extension mechanism or damper expands  170  it assists in lifting the drum array that is secured to the hinge plate  50 . When the drum array is lowered the extension mechanism or damper compresses and also provides cushion to the end of the stroke of the extension mechanism or damper  163 . The drums are not shown in this figure to provide greater visibility of the components in the deployed orientation. 
         [0076]      FIG. 15  shows a perspective view of the articulating drum hardware with drums in the deployed orientation and  FIG. 16  shows a perspective view of the articulating drum hardware with drums in the lifted orientation. The drum array is shown in these figures as broken lines for easier visibility between the assisting hardware and the drum array. The extension mechanism or damper pushes between the plate  160  and the hinge plate  50  to assist in lifting the drum array and also to cushion the end of the stroke when the drum or the drum array is being lowered. While only one side is shown with an extension mechanism or damper, the same arrangement can be incorporated into the mirror side of the tenor back bar  201 . 
         [0077]    While an array of drums is shown in these figures, it should be understood by one skilled in the art that the lift assisting mechanism can be configured to operate with as few as one drum. 
         [0078]    Thus, specific embodiments and applications for a carrier assembly for percussion instruments have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. 
       SEQUENCE LISTING 
       [0079]    Not Applicable.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6