Improvements in "Heads" for Drums, Banjos, and similar Instruments.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 18th Oct., 1890
Improvements in "Heads" for Drums, Banjos, and similar
Instruments.
A communication from GEORGE VANZANDT, of 110, West Washington Street, Chicago,
Illinois, United States of America.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex
M.I.M.E., do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention relates, 1st, to the material used for the vibrating "head" of a drum,
banjo, or similar instrument and 2ndly, to the shape in which the material is prepared
so as to make it easy of application by manufacturers of such instruments.
It is well known that the drum head as ordinarily constructed of raw hide, or calf
or sheep skin is greatly and injuriously affected by moisture so that it is impossible
for a drummer to continue to use his instrument in a rain storm ho having frequently
to adjust the straining screws to meet the varying conditions of the weather. It is
also very disheartening to military forces to have to march in the rain without hearing
the beat of the drum as has often been unavoidable for the reason above stated but
according to this invention such a thing cannot happen.
The material of which these "heads" are constructed according to this invention is
celluloid, pyralin, pyroxyline, xylonite, or the like these different names representing
materials of very similar character but produced by slightly differing processes. This
material is used in the form of thin sheets and is submitted to heavy pressure between
dies or plates heated to preferably about 200 degrees Fahrenheit so that it will take
the form shown in section in the accompanying drawing and which somewhat
resembles a hat having a low flat crown A of say inch rise and a flat surrounding
rim B. The rim B is cut at frequent intervals so as to form small spaces b.
In fitting the before described head to a drum it is placed over the open end of the
drum cylinder and a "flush-hoop" drawn outside above the rim B. The extending
ends of the rim B are then "tucked" around over the flush hoop and under a
straining hoop and when properly arranged are moistened with a celluloid cement;
when dry, the work is complete.
I also similarly use a material composed of linen or silk fabric or fine wire netting
or the like having a surface of celluloid. This material is specially suitable for
small drums and banjos. In this case the celluloid surface may be thinner than
in the other or preceding construction and the strength will be maintained by the
fabric or netting.
A drum bead constructed according to this invention is peculiarly resonant an⋅l
lurable and it is impervious to moisture, the celluloid not being soluble in water.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
ion as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what manner the
ame is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
-
1. A drun or similar "head" made of celluloid pyroxyline or the like
naterial.
2. A drum or similar "head" made of fabric such as linen or silk, or wire
etting or the like coated with celluloid or equivalent material substantially as
lescribed.
3. In a drum or similar "head" a flat panel such as A of celluloid or equivalent
ID 7

page_text: material having a rim or flange such as Bb adapted to be combined with the hoop of
the drum or banjo and permanently cemented to itself over the hoop substantially as
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
Dated this 9th day of September 1890.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.