Patent ID: 12249308

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The invention provides a drumhead and a tension application method capable of evenly applying tension to the membrane.

In the following, several embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Firstly, referring toFIGS.1and2, a percussion instrument100according to a first embodiment is described. InFIG.1, (a) is an exploded perspective view illustrating the percussion instrument100according to the first embodiment, and (b) is a perspective view of the percussion instrument100. InFIG.2, (a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the percussion instrument100taken along a line IIa-IIa in (b) ofFIG.1, and (b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the percussion instrument100taken along a line IIb-IIb in (a) ofFIG.2. In (a) and (b) ofFIG.2, for the ease of understanding, only main components in the cross-sections of the percussion instrument100are shown (the same applies to the cross-sectional view of the second to fourth embodiments described to be described afterwards).

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the percussion instrument100is a percussion instrument in a polygonal shape. A drumhead1is installed to the percussion instrument100, and an upper surface of a membrane10of the drumhead1serves as a striking surface to be struck by a performer.

The membrane10is formed in a polygonal shape (a hexagon, according to the embodiment) formed by using a mesh in which synthetic fibers are knitted. The respective sides of the polygonal membrane10are formed by three long sides that are longer and three short sides shorter than the long sides. The lengths of the three long sides are the same, and the lengths of the three short sides located between the long sides are also the same.

A long-side frame body11extending along the long side is fixed to each of the long sides of the membrane10, and a short-side frame body12extending along the short side is fixed to each of the short sides of the membrane10. That is, multiple (six in the embodiment) ones of the long-side frame bodies11and the short-side frame bodies12are provided side-by-side along the outer edge of the membrane10.

The long-side frame body11is formed by a pair of fixing frames11aand11b(see (a) and (b) ofFIG.2) that are plate-like. By bonding the fixing frames11aand11bsandwiching the edge of the long side of the membrane10to each other, the long-side frame body11is fixed to the outer edge of the membrane10.

The short-side frame body12includes a pair of fixing frames12a,12b(see (a) ofFIG.2) that are plate-like. By bonding the fixing frames12aand12bsandwiching the edge of the short side of the membrane10, each short-side frame body12is fixed to the outer edge of the membrane10.

The membrane10is formed by using a mesh-like material (e.g., a mesh formed by knitting synthetic fibers). Therefore, in the case where the fixing frames12aand12bof the short-side frame body12(the fixing frames11aand11bof the long-side frame body11) are adhered to each other by using an adhesive, the adhesive permeates the mesh of the membrane10. Accordingly, the short-side frame body12(the long-side frame body11) can be firmly adhered to the membrane10.

Accordingly, by adhering the fixing frames12aand12b(fixing frames11a,11b) sandwiching the outer edge of the mesh-like membrane10to be fixed to the membrane10, the manufacturing cost of the drumhead1can be reduced, as compared to the case where a frame body made of resin is integrally formed with the membrane10through molding.

A plate-like engagement frame12c(see (a) and (b) ofFIG.2) is integrally formed at the upper end of the fixing frame12bof the short-side frame body12, and a female screw hole12dfor a bolt2to be screwed into is formed at the center of the engagement frame12cin the longitudinal direction. In addition, a plate-like reinforcement frame12eopposite to the fixing frame12bis integrally formed with the engagement frame12c,and a “⊐”-shaped (U-shaped) frame, when viewed in a cross-sectional view, is formed by the fixing frame12b,the engagement frame12c,and the reinforcement frame12e.

An annular frame3to which the drumhead1is installed includes a support part30supporting the membrane10from a lower part, a bottom part31forming a bottom surface of a holding space S1for the long-side frame bodies11and the short-side frame bodies12, and a wall part32forming a wall on the outer peripheral side of the holding space S1. In addition, the support part30, the bottom part31, and the wall part32are respectively formed integrally.

The support part30is a part forming an inner edge portion of the frame3. In addition, the membrane10is supported by the upper end portion of the support part30extending in the upper-lower direction. The bottom part31extends from a lower part of the support part30to an outer peripheral side, and the wall part32protruding upward from the bottom part31is opposite to the support part30with the holding space S1sandwiched therebetween. The groove-shaped holding space S1surrounded by the support part30, the bottom part31, and the wall part32is continuous throughout the entire periphery of the frame3(see (a) ofFIG.1).

In addition, the frame3is formed in a polygonal shape (hexagon in the embodiment) corresponding to the shape of the drumhead1, and the holding space S1formed by the support part30, the bottom part31, and the wall part32of the frame3is also formed in a polygonal shape into which the respective frame bodies11and12of the drumhead1are insertable.

Accordingly, since the frame3is formed in a shape corresponding to the membrane10of the drumhead1, long-side portions and short-side portions are also formed in the frame3. In the following description, the long-side portion of the frame3is labeled as a long-side frame3a, and the short-side portion of the frame3is labeled as a short-side frame3b.

At the bottom part31of each short-side frame3b,a through hole33for insertion of the bolt2is formed. At the time of installing the drumhead1to the frame3, each of the long-side frame bodies11and the short-side frame bodies12is folded downward to be inserted into the holding space S1, and the bolt2inserted into the through hole33in such state is screwed into the female screw hole12dof the short-side frame body12. Accordingly, each short-side frame body12is pulled downward.

At this time, each long-side frame body11is pressed downward by each short-side frame body12. This is because the two ends of the engagement frame12cof the short-side frame body12in the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction in (b) ofFIG.2) protrude over the fixing frames12aand12band the reinforcement frame12e,and such protrusion portions serve to overlap with the two ends of each long-side frame body11on the two ends in the longitudinal direction (see (b) ofFIG.2). Accordingly, each long-side frame body11is also pulled downward by the force pressing each short-side frame body12. Thus, tension is applied to the entirety of the membrane10through the respective frame bodies11and12.

In this way, in the embodiment, it is configured that the frame body fixed to the membrane10is divided into multiple long-side frame bodies11and short-side frame bodies12aligned along the peripheral direction, and tension is applied to the membrane10by pulling each of the respective frame bodies11and12. Accordingly, it is not necessary to make the shape of each of the frame bodies11and12consistent with the frame3in a complicated polygonal shape, and the shape of each of the frame bodies11and12can be formed as a linear shape. Therefore, the shape of each of the frame bodies11and12hardly varies. In addition, even if the shape of each of the frame bodies11and12varies, tension can be uniformly applied to the membrane10, as it is configured that each of the frame bodies11and12is pulled to apply tension to the membrane10.

In addition, since the short-side frame body12is made of metal, the short-side frame body12can be suppressed from bending when being pulled by screwing the bolt2. In addition, the engagement frame12cof the short-side frame body12is reinforced by the fixing frames12aand12band the reinforcement frame12e.Therefore, the bending of the short-side frame body12can also be suppressed. In this way, by suppressing the bending of the short-side frame body12, the tension of the membrane10in the vicinity of the short-side frame body12can be prevented from being loosened. Therefore, tension can be uniformly applied to the membrane10.

Here, according to the second embodiment (see (a) and (b) ofFIG.3) to be described in the following, tension can be applied to the membrane10by screwing the bolt2to each of long-side frame bodies211and short-side frame bodies212divided in the peripheral direction. However, in such configuration, the number of bolts2(the number of parts) increases, and it takes time and effort to screw the bolts2.

Comparatively, in the embodiment and as described above, two ends of the engagement frame12cof each short-side frame body12are overlapped with respect to the multiple long-side frame bodies11aligned along the peripheral direction. Therefore, tension can be applied to the membrane10by screwing the bolt2into the short-side frame body12. Accordingly, compared with the configuration in which the bolt2is screwed into each of the frame bodies11and12, the number of parts can be reduced, and the time and effort required to screw the bolts2can be reduced.

Moreover, for example, it is also possible to overlap the two ends of the long-side frame body11with the short-side frame bodies12(engagement frames12c) on the short-side frame bodies12and screw the bolts2into the long-side frame bodies11to apply tension to the membrane10. However, since the long-side frame body11is formed to be longer, when it is configured to screw one bolt2to the center of the long-side frame body11, for example, the long-side frame body11may be bent, and the respective two adjacent short-side frame bodies12cannot be pressed uniformly. In order to suppress the bending of the long-side frame body11, it is necessary to screw the bolts2to multiple places (e.g., two places) of the long-side frame body11in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the number of parts increases, and it takes time and effort to screw the bolts2.

Comparatively, in the embodiment, it is configured that the long-side frame bodies11are pressed by screwing the bolts2into the short-side frame bodies12that are shorter. Accordingly, even in the configuration in which one bolt2is screwed into the center of the short-side frame body12, the bending of the short-side frame body12can be suppressed. Thus, the respective two adjacent long-side frame bodies11can be uniformly pressed. Accordingly, the time and effort for screwing the bolts2can be saved, and tension can be uniformly applied to the membrane10, while the number of parts can be reduced.

On the lower surface side of the membrane10, multiple striking surface sensors4ato4cfor detecting striking on the membrane body1are provided (see (a) ofFIG.1for the striking surface sensors4band4c), and the striking surface sensors4ato4care supported by sensor support parts34with L-shaped cross-sections. The sensor support part34is integrally formed with the inner peripheral surface of the short-side frame3band the inner peripheral surface of the long-side frame3aadjacent to such short-side frame3b,and is provided at each of the three corners (corner portions of three places) of the frame3in a polygonal shape.

The striking surface sensors4ato4cinclude disc-shaped two-sided tapes40bonded to the upper surface of the sensor support parts34. The two-side tape40has a cushion property, and a sensor41, which is a disc-shaped piezoelectric element, is bonded to the upper surface of the two-side tape40. A cushion42in a cylindrical shape is bonded to the upper surface of the sensor41. The cushion42is formed by using sponge. With the cushion42contacting the lower surface of the membrane10, the vibration at the time when the upper surface (striking surface) of the membrane10is struck is transmitted to the sensor41via the cushion42.

In addition, a sheet sensor5extending in the longitudinal direction of the long-side frame3ais bonded to the upper surface of the wall part32of the long-side frame3a.The sheet sensor5is a strip-shaped pressure sensor which detects a pressure change (or ON/OFF). A cover6having a semi-circular cross-section and extending in the longitudinal direction of the long-side frame3ais bonded to the upper surface of the sheet sensor5.

The cover6is formed by using a rubber-like elastic body. When the cover6is struck, the sheet sensor5detects a pressure according to deformation of the cover6. The striking detection results of the striking surface sensors4ato4c(sensors41) and the sheet sensors5are output to a sound source (not shown), and a musical sound signal is generated by the sound source based on the striking detection results. By outputting an electronic sound based on the generated musical sound signal to an amplifier or a speaker (neither of which is shown), an electronic musical sound in accordance with the musical sound signal is emitted from the amplifier or the speaker.

Accordingly, by striking the membrane10or the wall part32(the cover6), a performance simulating a head-only shot (striking only the membrane10), a rim shot (striking both the membrane10and the wall part32), and a rim-only shot (striking only the wall part32) can be carried out.

The striking surface sensors4ato4care provided at three places on the peripheral edge side of the membrane10. A striking location is determined based on the detection results of the three striking surface sensors4ato4c,and different musical sounds are generated in accordance with the striking location. Regarding the determination on the striking location, it is possible to adopt conventional technologies. For example, a configuration of detecting a striking location based on a peak difference or ratio of output values of the respective striking surface sensors4ato4c(e.g., Japanese Laid-open No. S62-501653) and a configuration of detecting a striking location based on a difference in the time at which the striking (vibration) is detected at the respective striking surface sensors4ato4c(e.g., Japanese Laid-open No. H05-232943) are exemplified.

That is, among the respective striking surface sensors4ato4c,in the case where the vicinity of the striking surface sensor4ais struck, a musical sound is generated, and, comparatively, in the case where the vicinity of the striking surface sensor4bis struck, another musical sound with a different tone is generated. In addition, in the case where the vicinity of the striking surface sensor4cis struck, a musical sound different from the musical sounds generated when the vicinities of the striking surface sensors4aand4bare struck is generated.

Likewise, at the time when the sheet sensors5at three places are detected as struck, different musical sounds are generated in accordance with the sheet sensor5detecting the striking. That is, in the embodiment, a total of six types of musical sounds are generated. The six types of musical sounds are: three types of musical sounds through striking detection at the respective striking surface sensors4ato4cand three types of musical sounds through striking detection at the respective sheet sensors5. Accordingly, the performance using the percussion instrument100can be more variable.

Thus, the striking surface sensors4ato4care arranged in the vicinities of respective vertexes10c(see (b) ofFIG.1) of the polygonal membrane10(the inner edge of the frame3) in the embodiment, so that different musical sounds are generated in accordance with the striking location detected by the respective striking surface sensors4ato4c.Thus, these musical sounds can be easily split evenly. Accordingly, different musical sounds can be generated by splitting evenly the vicinities of the corners at the three places of the membrane10. That is, the performer can easily recognize which musical sound is to be generated by striking which area on the upper surface (striking surface) of the membrane10. Therefore, different musical sounds can be split easily.

In addition, since the respective striking surface sensors4ato4care provided in the vicinities of the vertexes10cof the membrane10, the striking surface sensors4ato4ccan be provided at locations away from the centers of the long-side frames3ain the longitudinal direction, i.e., locations away from the centers of the covers6. In this way, it is difficult to detect the vibration at the time of striking the centers of the covers6(areas that are more easily struck) by using the respective striking surface sensors4ato4c.Therefore, whether the membrane10or any of the covers6is struck can be accurately determined.

It is noted that the vicinities of the vertexes10cof the membrane10are areas on the outer side with respect to a hypothetical circle defined as an inscribed circle contacting the outer edge of the polygonal membrane10(the inner edge of the frame3), for example. Thus, “the striking surface sensors4ato4care provided in the vicinities of the vertexes10cof the membrane10” indicates that, when the percussion instrument100is viewed from a top perspective, the centers of the respective striking surface sensors4ato4care located on the outer side with respect to the hypothetical circle.

Then, referring to (a) and (b) ofFIG.3, a percussion instrument200according to a second embodiment is described. In the first embodiment, the bolts2are only screwed into the short-side frame bodies12. However, in the embodiment, the bolts2are also screwed into the long-side frame bodies211. It is noted that parts same as the first embodiment are labeled with the same symbols, and the descriptions thereof are omitted. InFIG.3, (a) is an exploded perspective view illustrating the percussion instrument200according to the first embodiment, and (b) is a perspective view of the percussion instrument200.

As shown in (a) and (b) ofFIG.3, a drumhead201of the percussion instrument200of the second embodiment includes the long-side frame bodies211and the short-side frame bodies212. In the long-side frame body211, a configuration equivalent to the engagement frame12c, the female screw hole12d,and the reinforcement frame12eis added to the long-side frame body11of the first embodiment. In addition, except for the point that the short-side frame body212is not provided with the portion overlapped with the adjacent long-side frame bodies211on the long-side frame bodies211, the short-side frame body212has the same configuration as the short-side frame body12of the first embodiment.

In the long-side frame body211, the female screw holes12dare formed at multiple places (two places in the embodiment) in the longitudinal direction of the long-side frame body211. Except for the point that the through holes33are also formed at the locations corresponding to the female screw holes12dof the long-side frame body211, a frame203has the same configuration as the frame3of the first embodiment.

Accordingly, by inserting each of the long-side frame bodies211and the short-side frame bodies212into the holding space S1and, in such state, screwing the bolts2inserted into the through holes33of the frame203into the female screw holes12d,the respective long-side frame bodies211and short-side frame bodies212are pulled downward. Accordingly, through the respective long-side frame bodies211and short-side frame bodies212, tension can be applied to the entirety of the membrane10.

In this way, in the embodiment as well, it is not necessary for the respective frame bodies211and212to form a complicated polygonal shape, and the respective frame bodies211and212can be formed in linear shapes. Therefore, the shapes of the frame bodies211and212hardly vary. In addition, even if the shapes of the frame bodies211and212vary, since it is configured that each of the frame bodies211and212is pulled to apply tension to the membrane10, tension can be uniformly applied to the membrane10.

Then, referring to (a) and (b) ofFIG.4, a percussion instrument300according to a third embodiment is described. In the first embodiment, the frame3and the membrane10are formed to be polygonal. However, in the third embodiment, a frame303and a membrane310are formed to be arc. It is noted that parts same as the first embodiment are labeled with the same symbols, and the descriptions thereof are omitted. InFIG.4, (a) is an exploded perspective view illustrating the percussion instrument300according to the third embodiment, and (b) is a perspective view of the percussion instrument300.

As shown in (a) and (b) ofFIG.4, the percussion instrument300according to the third embodiment does not include the striking surface sensors4ato4cand the sheet sensors5. In the drumhead301installed to the percussion instrument300, an arc frame body311and arc frame bodies312aand312bare connected to an outer edge of the arc membrane310. The arc frame body311is one that forms the long-side frame body11of the first embodiment in an arc shape. In addition, the arc frame bodies312aand312bare ones that omit the engagement frame12cand the reinforcement frame12eof the short-side frame body12of the first embodiment and form the fixing frames12aand12bin an arc shape, and have the female screw hole12dformed at the center of the arc frame bodies312aand312b.

The frame303has the same configuration as the frame3of the first embodiment except for the point of being arc in shape, and includes a configuration equivalent to the support part30, the bottom part31, and the wall part32(the holding space S1). In addition, at the bottom part31of the frame303, the through holes33are formed at locations corresponding to the female screw holes12dof the arc frame bodies312aand312b.

When the drumhead301is installed to the frame303, in the state in which the arc frame bodies311and the arc frame bodies312aand312bare inserted into the holding space S1, the bolts2inserted into the through holes33are screwed into the female screw holes12dof the arc frame bodies312aand312b.Accordingly, each of the arc frame bodies312aand312bis pulled downward.

At this time, since two ends of each arc frame body312bare overlapped with the arc frame bodies311on the arc frame bodies311, the respectively arc frame bodies311are pressed downward by the arc frame bodies312aand312b.Accordingly, since the arc frame bodies311are also pulled downward, tension can be applied to the entirety of the membrane310of the drumhead301.

In this way, in the embodiment as well, it is configured to apply tension to the membrane310by pulling each of the arc frame bodies311and the arc frame bodies312aand312b.Therefore, even if the arc frame bodies311and the arc frame bodies312aand312bhave variations, tension can be uniformly applied to the membrane310.

Then, referring toFIGS.5to8, a percussion instrument400according to a fourth embodiment is described. In the first embodiment, the long-side frames3aand the short-side frames3bof the frame3are integrally formed. However, in the fourth embodiment, long-side frames403aand short-side frames403bare formed separately. It is noted that parts same as the first embodiment are labeled with the same symbols, and the descriptions thereof are omitted.

Firstly referring to (a) and (b) ofFIG.5and (a) and (b) ofFIG.6, the configuration and the assembling method of the percussion instrument400are described. InFIG.5, (a) is a perspective view illustrating the percussion instrument400according to the fourth embodiment, and (b) is a partially enlarged perspective view of the percussion instrument400illustrating a state in which the long-side frame403ais installed to the long-side frame body11. InFIG.6, (a) is a partially enlarged perspective view of the percussion instrument400illustrating a state in which a support frame403b1and an upper frame403b2are installed to the short-side frame body12, and (b) is a partially enlarged perspective view of the percussion instrument400illustrating a state in which a side frame403b3is installed to the support frame403b1and the upper frame403b2.

As shown in (a) and (b) ofFIG.5, in the frame403of the percussion instrument400of the fourth embodiment, long-side frames403aand short-side frames403bare divided in the peripheral direction. The drumhead1(see (b) ofFIG.5) to which the long-side frames403aand the short-side frames403bare installed is the same as the drumhead1(see (a) ofFIG.1) of the first embodiment. In the following description, the configuration of the short-side frame403bin which a through hole435b3(to be described afterwards) is formed (and to which a clamp C is installed) among the short-side frames403bis described. However, except for the presence/absence of the through hole435b3, the configurations of the respective short-side frames403bare the same.

As shown in (b) ofFIG.5, the long-side frame403aincludes a configuration equivalent to the support part30, the bottom part31, and the wall part32(the holding space S1). In the holding space S1of the long-side frame403a,the two end sides of the long-side frame403ain the longitudinal direction are open. Accordingly, by inserting the long-side frame body11from the end part of the holding space S1, the long-side frame403ais installed to the drumhead1(the long-side frame body11is held in the holding space S1).

Then, as shown in (a) ofFIG.6, the short-side frame body12located between the respective long-side frames403ais sandwiched, in an upper-lower direction, by the support frame403b1and the upper-side frame403b2of the short-side frame403b.

Specifically, the support frame403b1includes a configuration equivalent to the support part30, the bottom part31, the wall part32, the through hole33, and the sensor support part34. The upper side of the holding space S1formed by the support part30, the bottom part31, and the wall part32of the support frame403b1is open. Accordingly, by fitting the support frame403b1between the ends of the respective long-side frames403afrom a lower part, the short-side frame body12is held in the holding space S1of the support frame403b1.

Through holes435b1for insertion of bolts7are formed on the two end sides of the wall part32of the support frame403b1in the peripheral direction, and connection parts434afor the bolts7to be screwed through are formed in the respective long-side frames403a.The connection parts434aare plate-shaped bodies bent from the two ends of the long-side frame403ain the longitudinal direction toward the inner peripheral side, and screw holes435aare formed at the connection parts434a.

Accordingly, in the state in which the support frame403b1is fit between the ends of the long-side frames403a,the bolts7inserted into the through holes435b1are screwed into the female screw holes435a,thereby connecting the support frame403b1to the long-side frames403a.While not shown in the drawings, in such connection state, the respective support parts30(see (b) ofFIG.5for the support part30of the long-side frame403a) of the long-side frames403aand the support frames403b1are configured to be linked in an annular shape.

Then, in the state in which the support frame403b1is connected to the long-side frames403a,the bolt2inserted into the through hole33of the support frame403b1is screwed into the female screw hole12dof the short-side frame body12. Accordingly, each short-side frame body12is pulled to the lower side.

At this time, like the first embodiment, since two ends of the engagement frame12cof the short-side frame body12is overlapped with the long-side frame bodies11(see (b) ofFIG.7), the respective long-side frame bodies11are pressed downward. Accordingly, tension can be applied to the entirety of the membrane10. In this way, in the embodiment as well, it is not necessary for the respective frame bodies11and12to form a complicated polygonal shape, and the respective frame bodies11and12can be formed in linear shapes. Therefore, the shapes of the frame bodies11and12hardly have variation. In addition, even if the shape of each of the frame bodies11and12varies, tension can be uniformly applied to the membrane10, as it is configured that each of the frame bodies11and12is pulled to apply tension to the membrane10.

Since the upper-side frame403b2includes a fixed part430b2in a “⊐” shape (U-shape) when viewed in a cross-sectional view, by hooking the fixed part430b2to the wall part32of the support frame403b1, the upper-side frame403b2is installed to the support frame403b1.

A covering part431b2extending from the fixed part430b2(the wall part32of the support frame403b1) to the inner peripheral side is formed at the upper-side frame403b2. Since the covering part431b2can cover the upper side of the short-side frame body12, the appearance of the percussion instrument400can be favorable.

Then, as shown in (b) ofFIG.6, the side frame403b3is fit with the support frame403b1to which the upper-side frame403b2is installed from the outer peripheral side. The side frame403b3is a frame in a “⊐” shape (U-shape) when viewed in a cross-sectional view and is formed by a lower part430b3covering the bottom part31of the support frame403b1from a lower part, a side part431b3extending upward from an outer edge of the lower part430b3, and an upper part432b3protruding from the upper end of the side part431b3toward the inner peripheral side to be opposite to the lower part430b3in the upper-lower direction.

Multiple (two in the embodiment) through holes433b3are formed at the lower part430b3of the side frame403b3, and screw holes436b1are formed at locations corresponding to the through holes433b3in the bottom part31of the support frame403b1. Accordingly, by screwing the bolts8inserted into the through holes433b3into the female screw holes436b1, the side frame403b3is fixed to the support frame403b1. Accordingly, the assembling of the percussion instrument400is completed.

In this way, in the embodiment, the respective long-side frames403aand short-side frames403bare configured to be able to be connected with and separated from each other. Thus, compared with the case where the frame3is connected in an annular shape as in the first embodiment, the respective parts of the frame403before assembling can be miniaturized.

Then, the configuration of the percussion instrument400is further described with reference to (a) and (b) ofFIG.7. InFIG.7, (a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the percussion instrument400taken along a line VIIa-VIIa in (a) ofFIG.7, and (b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the percussion instrument400taken along a line VIIb-VIIb in (a) ofFIG.7. In (a) ofFIG.7, the clamp C (see (a) ofFIG.5) is omitted.

As shown in (a) and (b) ofFIG.7, an opposing interval between the support part30and the wall part32of the long-side frame403ais formed to be the same as (or slightly greater than) the plate thickness of the long-side frame body11. Accordingly, when the long-side frame body11is pressed by the short-side frame body12, the long-side frame body11can be displaced only in the downward direction along the support part30and the wall part32, and tension can be uniformly applied to the membrane10.

A covering part436aprotruding from the upper end side of the wall part32of the long-side frame403ato the inner peripheral side is integrally formed with the wall part32of the long-side frame403a.Since the covering part436acan cover the upper side of the long-side frame body11held in the holding space S1, the appearance of the percussion instrument400can be favorable.

The sheet sensor5is bonded to the upper surface of the long-side frame403a,and the sheet sensor5is covered by a cover406that is a rubber-like elastic body. The cover406includes a pair of foot parts460extending downward from the two ends of the cover406in the width direction (the left-right direction of (a) ofFIG.7). In the pair of foot parts460, the foot part460located on the outer edge side of the cover406(the left side of (a) ofFIG.7) is fit into a groove extending in the longitudinal direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of (a) ofFIG.7) of the upper surface of the long-side frame403a.

A bent portion bent from the lower end side of the foot part460located on the inner edge side of the cover406(the right side of (a) ofFIG.7) of the pair of foot parts460to the outer peripheral side is formed in the foot part460. With the bent portion being hooked to the lower surface of the covering part436aof the long-side frame403a,the cover406is fixed to the long-side frame403a.Accordingly, in addition to the function of covering the top of the long-side frame body11, the covering part436ais also capable of the function of hooking the cover406.

On the outer peripheral side of the wall part32of the long-side frame403a,a cavity S2extending in the longitudinal direction of the long-side frame403ais formed. In addition, in the short-side frame403b,a cavity S3surrounded by the side frame403b3(the lower part430b3, the side part431b3, and the upper part432b3, respectively) and the support frame403b1is formed. The cavity S3is linked with the cavity S2of the long-side frame403a.

That is, the cavities S2and S3are in connection throughout the entire periphery of the frame403. Thus, a wire for connecting the sheet sensor5and the striking surface sensor4ato a substrate (not shown) can pass through. Accordingly, among the multiple short-side frames403b(see (a) ofFIG.5), a wire of the striking surface sensor4aor the sheet sensor5can be connected to a substrate (not shown) provided at one of the short-side frames403bthrough the cavities S2and S3. Accordingly, since such wire can be suppressed from being exposed to the outside, the appearance of the percussion instrument400can be favorable.

At the lower part430b3of the side frame403b3, a through hole434b3is formed at a location facing the head part of the bolt2. Accordingly, by adjusting the amount of which the bolt2is screwed into via the through hole434b3, the tension applied to the membrane10can be adjusted.

At the lower part430b3and the upper part432b3of the side frame403b3, a through hole435b3penetrating in the upper-lower direction is formed. The through hole435b3is a portion where a rod (not shown) supporting the percussion instrument400is inserted. The rod inserted into the through hole435b3is fastened to the clamp C (seeFIG.5) installed to a through hole436b3of the side frame403b3(the side part431b3). Accordingly, the percussion instrument400is supported by the rod.

In a state in which the lower part430b3of the side frame403b3is fixed to the support frame403b1, the inner edge of the upper part432b3of the side frame403b3is overlapped with the fixed part430b2of the upper frame403b2. Accordingly, the upper frame403b2can be suppressed from detaching from the wall part32of the support frame403b1.

Here, if it is configured that the covering part431b2of the short-side frame403b(the upper frame403b2) is also integrally formed with the wall part32of the support frame403b1, like the covering part436aof the long-side frame403a,it is necessary to insert the short-side frame body12from the two ends (ends parts in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of (a) ofFIG.7) of the peripheral direction of the holding space S1of the support frame403b1. Such insertion of the short-side frame body12from the two ends of the peripheral direction of the support frame403b1(holding space S1) is difficult in a state in which the long-side frame403ais installed to the long-side frame body11.

Comparatively, in the embodiment, the covering part431b2of the short-side frame403b(the upper-side frame403b2) is detachable with respect to the wall part32of the support frame403b1. Therefore, the short-side frame body12can be inserted from the upper side of the holding space S1of the support frame403b1. Accordingly, in a state in which each long-side frame403ais installed to the long-side frame body11(the state of (a) ofFIG.6) as well, the support frame403b1can be fit between the long-side frames403afrom a lower part.

Accordingly, even in the case where the covering part436ais integrally formed with the wall part32of the long-side frame403a,that is, even in the case where the long-side frame body11can only be inserted from the two end sides of the long-side frame403a(the holding space S1) in the peripheral direction, the connection of the respective frames403aand403b(the assembling of the percussion instrument400) can be easy, while the long-side frame bodies11and the short-side frame bodies12are inserted into the holding space S1of the long-side frames403aand the short-side frames403b.In other words, it is not necessary to attach/detach the covering part436aof the long-side frame403awith respect to the wall part32, and the covering part436aof the long-side frame403aand the wall part32can be formed integrally. Thus, the number of parts can be reduced.

Although the description has been made based on the embodiment, the invention is not limited to the above. It can be easily inferred that various improvements and modifications are possible within a range that does not deviate from the gist of the invention. For example, in the embodiments, a portion or the entirety of one embodiment may replace or be combined with a portion or the entirety of another one or more embodiments to configure the percussion instruments100,200,300, and400. Accordingly, for example, it is possible to divide the frames3,203, and303of the first to third embodiments like the frame403(the long-side frames403aand403b) of the fourth embodiment, and it is also possible to make the membrane10(frame403) of the fourth embodiment circular like the membrane310(frame303) of the third embodiment.

In addition, although the second embodiment is described with the case where the bolt2is screwed into the long-side frame body211, it is also possible to screw the bolts2into the long-side frame body11and the arc frame body311to apply tension to the membranes10and310.

Although the respective embodiments are described with the case where the membrane10is mesh-like, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the membrane10may also be formed by using a film made by synthetic resin or other conventional materials.

Although the respective embodiments are described with the case where each of the long-side frame bodies11and211, the short-side frame bodies12,212, and the arc frame bodies311,312a,and312bis pulled by the bolt2to apply tension to the membrane10, that is, the tension application member is the bolt2, the invention is not limited thereto. According to the conventional art (e.g., Japanese Laid-open No. 2019-148623), it may also be configure to press each frame body toward the side of the body (frame) of the percussion instrument by using another tension application member, such as an annular loop. In such configuration as well, since the respective frame bodies aligned along the peripheral direction can be pulled, tension can be uniformly applied to the membrane10.

Although the respective embodiments are described with the configuration in which two bolts2are screwed into the long-side frame body211or one bolt2is screwed into the short-side frame body12or212or the arc frame bodies312aand312b,the invention is not limited thereto. For example, it may also be configured that one or three or more bolts2are screwed into the long-side frame body211or multiple bolts2are screwed into the short-side frame body12or212or the arc frame bodies312aand312b.

Although the respective embodiments are described with the case where each of the long-side frame bodies11and211, the short-side frame bodies12,212, and the arc frame bodies311,312a,and312bmade of metal is bonded to the membrane10, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the respective frame bodies may also be formed by using a resin material. In such case, the respective frame bodies may also be integrally formed with the membrane10through molding.

In addition, the respective frame bodies may also be bonded to the membrane10by other fixing means, such as rivets. In addition, in the case of performing such bonding, it is not always necessary to sandwich the outer edge of the membrane10by using the pair of fixing frames11a,11b,12a,12b.

Although the respective embodiments are described with the case where the long-side frame bodies11and211(arc frame body311) are longer than the short-side frame bodies12and212(arc frame bodies312aand312b), the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the respective frame bodies may also have the same length.

The first, second, and fourth embodiments are described with the case where the membrane10(the frames3,203, and403) is in a hexagon shape. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the membrane10(the frames3,203, and403) may also be in another polygonal shape (regular polygonal shape), such as a triangular shape, a rectangular shape.

The first, second, and fourth embodiments are described with the case where multiple striking surface sensors4ato4care provided in the vicinities of the vertexes10cof the membrane10. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the striking surface sensors4ato4cmay also be provided on a central side of the membrane with respect to the vicinities of such vertexes10c.In addition, it may also be configured to detect the striking to the membrane10by using one striking surface sensor.

The first, second and fourth embodiments describe the percussion instruments100,200, and400(electronic percussion instruments) including the striking surface sensors4ato4cand the sheet sensors5, and the third embodiment describes the percussion instrument300without such sensors. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the striking surface sensors4ato4cand the sheet sensors5of the percussion instruments100,200, and400may be omitted, and sensors equivalent to the striking surface sensors4ato4cand the sheet sensors5may also be provided in the percussion instrument300.

In the fourth embodiment, the case where the cavity S2is formed on the outer peripheral side of the wall part32of the long-side frame403ais described. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the cavity S2may also be omitted.

In the fourth embodiment, the case where the covering part436ais integrally formed with the wall part32of the long-side frame403ais described. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, like the covering part431b2(the upper-side frame403b2) of the short-side frame403b,the covering part436amay also be configured separately from the wall part32of the long-side frame403a.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the disclosure covers modifications and variations provided that they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.