Patent Abstract:
The cushioned percussion device, comprising in combination, a projecting support for the device; a pivot for said support, and spring structure located to yieldably resist pivoting of the support.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the support of percussion devices, as for example cowbells; and more particularly relates to cushioning and adjustable cushioning of such devices. 
     When percussionists use drum sticks to forcibly strike cowbells that are rigidly supported, there is considerable shock effect transmitted back to the percussionist&#39;s hand and wrist. This reaction “hardness” differs substantially from the lower level impact effect created when a drum head is struck. There is need to alleviate at least in part such shock effect, which can be increasingly undesirable when the cowbell is struck with great force. Also, there is need for adjusting such created reaction effect when the cowbell is struck, i.e. for “tuning” of the cowbell. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a major object of the invention to provide a solution to the above problem, which meets the percussionist&#39;s needs. Basically, the invention is embodied in the provision of a cushioned percussion device that comprises: 
     a) a projecting support for the device, 
     b) a pivot for the support, and 
     c) spring structure located to yieldably resist pivoting of the support. 
     As will be seen, the spring structure may advantageously include a first spring element to resist pivoting in one direction, and a second spring element to resist pivoting in the opposite direction. A carrier typically carries that structure offset from the pivot and offset from a clamp or holder holding the percussion instrument in a position to be struck. 
     It is another object to provide an adjuster to adjust the tension of the spring structure, for controlling the yieldable resistance to pivoting of the support. As will be seen, two adjustable spring elements or portions may be provided to adjust yieldable resistance to pivoting, in two directions. 
     Yet another object includes provision of support structure including a strut yieldably supporting a cowbell lower portion; and a holder or clamp adjustably connecting the cowbell lower portion to the strut in spaced relation to the spring or springs, to enable adjustment of the clamp and cowbell lower portion toward or away from the spring or springs. 
     Accordingly, the cowbell cushioned support apparatus may be “tuned” at up to three locations, to optimize the selectability of cushioned support for the cowbell, to individually suit requirements of different percussionists. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following specification and drawings, in which: 
    
    
     DRAWING DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 is an elevation showing one preferred form of apparatus; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken on lines  2 — 2  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view taken on lines  3 — 3  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a section taken on lines  4 — 4  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is a section taken on lines  5 — 5  of FIG. 2; and 
     FIG. 6 is an elevation like FIG. 1, but showing a modified form. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the drawings a percussion instrument or device is shown at  10 , and may take the form of a cowbell. It has a lower wall portion  11 , and upwardly diverging walls  12 . The cowbell is to be forcefully struck as by a drum beater or stick  13 , during a performance or during practice. Upper rim  12   a  can also be struck. 
     In accordance with the invention, support structure is provided yieldably and resiliently supporting the cowbell lower portion  11  to enable the cowbell to bodily deflect when struck. The illustrated example shows such support structure to include a projecting support such as a strut  15  connected to the cowbell lower portion, as for example at  16 . That connection may advantageously include a clamp  17  having an upper part  17   a  and a lower part  17   b  at opposite sides of the strut, and which may be loosened to allow adjustment shifting of the cowbell lengthwise of the strut, toward or away from cushioning spring structure  18 . The clamp  17  may then be tightened, as on a threaded part  17   c . Such adjustment shifting facilitates adjustment of stiffness of cowbell deflection, when struck, to suit the requirements of the percussionist. The strut  15  may comprise a metal rod, which is knurled as shown at  15   a  to facilitate non-slip connection of the clamp to the rod. A clamp adjuster is seen at  17   d.    
     The spring structure  18  and strut  15  may be carried by a carrier, as for example a second strut or rod  20  having a projection  20   a . Strut  15  may have connection to rod  20 , as at a pivot  22 , for allowing the cowbell to bodily move up and down. The spring structure is carried for resiliently and yieldably resisting such bodily movement of the cowbell. 
     In the example, a first spring or spring portion  18   a  is positioned to resist downward pivoting of the strut  15 ; and a second spring or spring portion  18   b  is positioned to resist upward pivoting of the strut  15 . Spring portion  18   a  is shown as located below strut  15  and spring portion  18   b  above strut  15 ; however, the spring portions may have other positions. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the stiffness of one or both of the spring portions may be adjusted, to the requirements of the percussionist, whereby the stiffness of cowbell deflection is adjustable. In the example, a first adjuster  25  is provided to adjust the tension of the first spring portion  18   a , and a second adjuster  26  is provided to adjust the tension of the second spring portion  18   b . The first adjuster may have threaded connection to one end of a spring positioner  27 , whereby when rotated at  25   a , the spring portion  18   a  is controllably compressed; and the second adjuster may have threaded connection to the opposite end of positioner  28 , whereby when rotated at  26   a , the spring portion  18   b  is controllably compressed. 
     The spring portion  18   a  is compressed between adjuster  25  and a locater or connector  30 ; and the spring portion  18   b  is compressed between adjuster  26  and connector  30 . That connector transmits spring force to the strut  15 , at location  31 , and the latter may include a pivot connection to the strut. See also guide pin  40 , thread connected to  25  and  26 , and tubular housing  41  for  25 ,  26  and  30 . Set screws  42  when tightened fix the selected adjustment. Projection  20   a  carries housing  41 . 
     In operation, when the cowbell is heavily struck, as by force F, the strut  15  is pivoted downwardly, and coiled spring portion  18   a  is momentarily compressed. As the strut  15  thereafter pivots or returns upwardly, upper spring portion  18   b  is momentarily compressed; and the compressions of the two spring portions can be adjusted to adjust the stiffness of deflection of the cow bell, during play, to meet the requirements of the percussionist. 
     Carrier rod  20  may be suitably connected to an upright stand, such as a cymbals stand  44 . 
     In FIG. 6 the elements are generally the same as in FIG. 1, except for the following: the carrier pin  40  for the springs has pivotal connection at  60  to the strut  15 ; coil spring  18   a  is compressed between an angled region  63  of rod  20  and a nut  61 ; and coil spring  18   b  is compressed between angled locater region  63  and a nut  62 . The two nuts are threaded on the pin  40 , for adjustment to adjust the tension of the two springs, which control the yieldability of the cow bell when struck as by drum stick  13 . Such yieldability is indicated by pivoting of the strut  15  about pivot  22 . Nuts  61  and  62  are one form of pushers.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6