Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of applicant&#39;s applications U.S. application Ser. No. 10/950,130 filed Sep. 27, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,673,776, issued Mar. 9, 2010, which claims the benefit of continuation-in-part of applicant&#39;s applications U.S. application Ser. No. 10/831,638 filed Apr. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,881,886, issued Apr. 19, 2005, which claims the benefit of Continuation-in-part application No. U.S. Ser. No. 10/374,676 filed Feb. 26, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,071,401, issued Jul. 04, 2006, which claims the benefit of Continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/170,005 filed Jun. 10, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,770,805, issued Aug. 3, 2004, which claims the benefit of Divisional application U.S. Ser. No. 09/756,479 filed Jan. 8, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,403,869, issued Jul. 11, 2002, which claims the benefit of Continuation-in-part application U.S. Ser. No. 09/507,800 filed Feb. 22, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,290, issued Jan. 9, 2001, which claims the benefit of Divisional application U.S. Ser. No. 09/497,265 filed Feb. 3, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,407, issued Nov. 27, 2001 and is a CIP of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/358,717 filed Jan. 23, 2009 which claims priority to provisional Appl. No. 61/062,523 filed Jan. 25, 2008 and claim benefit to application U.S. application Ser. No. 11/112,342 filed Apr. 22, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,394,008 issued on Jul. 1, 2008. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to new and useful improvements in apparatus for carrying percussion instruments, particularly drums of various kinds, cymbals, xylophones, and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a carrier hardware providing a novel articulating hinge assembly for the support for percussion instruments and to carrier assemblies supporting percussion instruments on a person while standing, walking or marching. The carrier assembly has a construction and relationship of parts to transfer the weight of the percussion instrument(s) to the body of a person. A clamp is located in the front of the carrier. The clamp allows the carrier to be folded for easier transportation and storage in a smaller space. The clamp can be loose to allow the linked parts to move freely, or the clamp can be locked to fix the linked parts in position. The person carrying the instruments maintains a stable attitude while walking or marching about and avoids pressure or other forms of detrimental forces on the shoulders and lower back and is further characterized by having removable and/or adjustable back support member or members. The adjustment to the back support member position may also be accomplished using a fixed back support member with adjustable shoulder supports. The back member may be secured to the shoulder supports and the shoulder supports may be removable and or adjustable to accommodate different sized users. 
     2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
     The prior art discloses many examples of apparatus for supporting percussion instruments but none providing the combination of features disclosed and claimed herein. 
     La Flame U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,683 discloses a carrier for percussion instruments having an abdominal plate connected at one end of a unitary frame partly encircling the wearer at the waist and having an upstanding rear portion pivotally connected to a back pressure plate. Shoulder bars are connected to the back-pressure plate and wrap about shoulders and support supports connect to the abdominal plate. 
     Hsieh U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,610 shows a carrier for percussion instruments having a “T” bar, a pair of shoulder bars, a belly plate. The shoulder bars are bolted on a lateral plate of the “T” bar. The lateral plate has arc-like slots and spaced semi-circular holes permit bolts to slide in the slots. The fastening end of each shoulder bar has a hole and an arc-like slot from the upper portion to the lower portion permitting angular adjustment of the shoulder rightward or leftward for various applications. 
     La Flame U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,032 shows a carrier for various instruments such as marching bells, a marching xylophone or a marching marimba, which are supported on the apparatus by the use of suitably-constructed extension arms. The carrier frame is a U-shaped bent bar welded or otherwise attached to a belly plate and has extension arms which project from the belly plate to engage and support the instrument. 
     La Flame GB patent 2,123,676 (based on U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,442) discloses a carrier for percussion instruments or the like which includes the combination of a belly plate with a carrier bracket for supporting an instrument at an outwardly-overhung position about a fulcrum area of contact with the front waistline area of the person, a rigid band with a generally bent contour to extend along a portion of the waistline area of the person to the back of the person, a back-plate riser arm supported by the ban to extend in a generally upward direction such that a portion of the arm will extend along the back thoracic region of the person, and means carried by the arm for imparting to the thoracic back region of the person a reactive force to the overhung weight of the instrument about the aforesaid means forming a fulcrum area of contact with the person. 
     Dranchak U.S. Pat. No. 4,387,839 discloses a drum-supporting harness having two shoulder hooks with cushion pads or liners, a breast plate secured to the hooks, and a hanger structure attached to the breast plate and depending there from. Upwardly-facing hooks, a spacer bar extending downward from the hooks, and a spacing abutment carried by the spacer bar and extending forward there from are carried by the lower portion of the hanger structure. The hooks and the spacing abutment engage upper and lower portions of the body of the drum. The hanger structure is adjustable or extensible by means of overlapping strips which can be secured in a number of different positions. An adapter assembly attaches to the upper rim portion of the drum for connecting of hooks  16  to the drum. 
     Other possibly relevant prior art is Pyle U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,357 and the inventor&#39;s own patents May U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,910, May U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,810, May U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,257, May U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,492, May U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,583 and May U.S. Pat. No. 7,394,008 that are herein incorporated by reference. 
     The prior art discloses many examples of apparatus for supporting percussion instruments but none provide the combination of features that are disclosed and claimed herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One object of the invention is to provide a new and improved carrier for percussion instruments comprising a novel T-bar carrier with belly plate, shoulder supports, and back bar in which the shoulder supports are removable and/or adjustable. 
     One object of the invention is to provide a new and improved carrier for percussion instruments comprising a novel supporting instrument carrier and a clamp having recesses to receive and clamp J-rods or posts around their peripheries in spaced relation on said carrier. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved carrier for percussion instruments comprising a novel vest-type carrier with back bar and removable and/or adjustable shoulder supports. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved carrier for percussion instruments having shoulder supports and an adjustable back bar. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved carrier for percussion instruments comprising a novel T-bar carrier with belly plate, shoulder supports, and back bar, and a clamp having a recesses to receive and clamp J-rods or posts around their peripheries in spaced relation on said vest. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved carrier for percussion instruments in which the supporting elements are of rod or tubular construction. 
     Other objects of the invention will become apparent throughout the specification and claims as hereinafter related. 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) 
         FIG. 1  is a front isometric view of hardware for supporting a drum in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear isometric view of hardware for supporting a drum as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front isometric view of hardware for supporting a drum and having vertical articulated supports in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the articulated joint in the hardware shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a front isometric view of an embodiment with the back bar removed. 
         FIG. 6  is a front isometric view of supporting hardware with vertical and horizontal adjustability of the supports on the belly plate and adjustable shoulder supports and back bar 
         FIG. 7  is a detailed view of the tubular clamp form  FIG. 6  with an optional J hook. 
         FIG. 8  is a view in end elevation of a novel double clamp for supporting a plurality of posts and/or J-rods. 
         FIG. 9  is a front isometric view of the clamp shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a rear isometric view of the clamp shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 11  is a front isometric view of supporting hardware with vertical and horizontal adjustability of the supports on the belly plate and adjustable shoulder member with a back bar. 
         FIG. 12  is a front isometric view of the fully assembled carrier and supporting hardware with J-rods positioned in an inverted position for supporting the drum. 
         FIG. 13  is a detail isometric view of the clamp shown in  FIG. 12  showing the connection of the vertical supporting rods and/or tubes. 
         FIG. 14  is a detail isometric view of clamp for the shoulder supports shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 15  is a detail isometric view of the adjustable supporting clamp on the belly plate of the drum-supporting hardware of  FIG. 12   
         FIG. 16  is a rear isometric view of the embodiment of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 17  is an isometric view of another embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  6  in which the shoulder supports connect with the abdominal belly plate. 
         FIG. 18  is a front isometric view of the fully assembled carrier and supporting clamp with J-rods positioned in a normal position for supporting the drum and having a double clamp for the supporting base permitting longitudinal and rotary adjustment in position of the clamp. 
         FIG. 19  is an end view of the clamp shown in  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 20  is an isometric view of another embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  in which the abdominal belly plate is replaced by a vest-type support. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Marching T-Bar Type Support for Drums and Other Percussion Instruments 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown a T-bar-type carrier  10  for percussion instruments which comprises a belly plate  11 , vertical supporting rods or tubes  12  and  13  having outturned portions  14  and  15  supporting rigid shoulder supports  16  and  17  and back bar  18 . Back bar  18  may be removably secured to shoulder supports  18  or may be fixed as by welding or the like. 
     Belly plate  11  is removably secured on the lower ends of vertical rods or tubes  12  and  13  by clamping receptacles  19  and  20 . J-rod receptacles  21  and  22  are secured on belly plate  11  in slots  23  and  24  by screws or bolts or the like. J-rods  25  are secured in receptacles  21  and  22  by bolts  26 . The upper, out-turned ends  14  and  15  of supporting rods or tubes  12  and  13  are supported in clamping receptacles  27  and  28  on shoulder supports  16  and  17 . A clamp  29  holds rods or tubes  12  and  13  against lateral and or torque displacement. 
     The materials of construction used in this carrier  10  are very important for achieving the desired result. The belly plate  11 , vertical supporting rods or tubes  12  and  13 , shoulder supports  16  and  17  and back bar  18  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 
     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  16  and  17  positioned over the shoulders and the belly plate  11  supported against the abdomen. J-rods  25  are inserted in position and secured in place by tightening bolts  26 . The short outer ends of the J-rods  25  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. 
     The carrier is adjustable to comfort of the wearer and also to fit different sized instruments. Clamp-receptacles  27  and  28  permit pivotal, lateral and angular adjustment of shoulder supports  16  and  17  on the out-turned ends  14  and  15  of rods or tubes  12  and  13 . Clamp-receptacles  19  and  20  permit vertical sliding adjustment of rods or tubes  12  and  13 . Slots  23  and  24  in belly plate  11  allow lateral adjustment of clamp-receptacles  21  and  22  and angular adjustment of J-rods supported therein. 
     An Articulated Embodiment of Marching T-Bar Type Support for Drums and Other Percussion Instruments 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a T-bar-type carrier  30  for percussion instruments which comprises a belly plate  31 , lower and upper vertical supporting rods or tubes  32  and  33 . Lower rod or tube  32  is U-shaped with parallel portions  32   a  and  32   b  supporting belly plate  31 . Upper rod or tube  33  is U-shaped with legs  33   a  and  33   b  having out-turned portions  34  and  35  supporting rigid shoulder supports  36  and  37  and back bar  38 . Back bar  38  may be removably secured to shoulder supports  36  and  37  or may be fixed as by welding or the like. Shoulder supports  36  and  37  and back bar  38  have cushions  36   a ,  37   a  and  38   a , respectively. The cushions are of a type used to pad the interior of football and other sports helmets and are shown in more detail in the inventor&#39;s patent 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. 
     Belly plate  31  is removably secured on the lower ends  32   a  and  32   b  of vertical rod or tube  32  by clamping receptacles  39  and  40 . J-rod receptacles  41  and  42  are secured on belly plate  31  in slots  43  and  44  by screws or bolts or the like. J-rods  45  are secured in receptacles  41  and  42  by bolts  46 . The upper, out-turned ends  34  and  35  of supporting rod or tube  33  are supported in clamping receptacles  47  and  48  on shoulder supports  36  and  37 . A clamp  49  holds rods or tubes  32  and  33  in an articulated relation to permit angular flexing as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     The materials of construction used in this carrier  30  are very important for achieving the desired result. The belly plate  31 , supporting rods or tubes  32  and  33 , shoulder supports  36  and  37  and back bar  38  are rigid and made of a light metal such as aluminum, magnesium or titanium. The metal shoulder supports have the advantage that different sizes are readily accommodated. 
     Operation 
     The operation of this carrier should be apparent but will be described briefly for clarity. The carrier  30  is worn by the musician with the shoulder supports  36  and  37  positioned over the shoulders and the belly plate  31  supported against the abdomen. J-rods  45  are inserted in position and secured in place by tightening bolts  46 . The short outer ends of the J-rods  45  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. 
     The carrier is adjustable to the comfort of the wearer and also to fit different sized instruments. Clamp-receptacles  47  and  48  permit pivotal, lateral and angular adjustment of shoulder supports  36  and  37  on the out-turned ends  34  and  35  of rod or tube  33 . Clamp-receptacles  39  and  40  permit vertical sliding adjustment of rod or tube  32 . Slots  43  and  44  in belly plate  31  allow lateral adjustment of clamp-receptacles  41  and  42  and angular adjustment of J-rods  45  supported therein. 
     Another Embodiment of Marching T-Bar Type Support for Drums and Other Percussion Instruments 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a T-bar-type carrier  50  for percussion instruments which comprises a belly plate  51 , an inverted U-shaped vertical supporting rod or tube  52 . Rod or tube  52  has parallel portions  52   a  and  52   b  supporting belly plate  51 . Rigid shoulder supports  56  and  57  are secured on bar  53 . 
     Belly plate  51  is removably secured on the lower ends  52   a  and  52   b  of vertical rod or tube  52  by clamping receptacles  59  and  60 . J-rod receptacles  61  and  62  are secured on belly plate  51 . J-rods  65  are secured in receptacles  61  and  62  by bolts  66 . The upper U-portion of supporting rod or tube  52  is supported in clamping receptacle  67  on bar  53  to support shoulder supports  56  and  57 . The materials of construction used in this carrier  50  are very important for achieving the desired result. The belly plate  51 , supporting rod or tube  52 , and shoulder supports  56  and  57  are made of a light material such as plastic or a light metal such as aluminum, magnesium or titanium. 
     Operation 
     The operation of this carrier should be apparent but will be described briefly for clarity. The carrier  50  is worn by the musician with the shoulder supports  56  and  57  positioned over the shoulders and the belly plate  51  supported against the abdomen. J-rods  65  are inserted in position and secured in place by tightening bolts  66 . The short outer ends of the J-rods  65  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. The carrier is adjustable to comfort of the wearer and also to fit different sized instruments. Clamp-receptacle  67  permits pivotal adjustment of shoulder supports  56  and  57 . Clamp-receptacles  59  and  60  permit vertical sliding adjustment of rod or tube  52 . Clamp-receptacles  61  and  62  permit angular adjustment of J-rods  65 . 
     Another Embodiment of Marching T-Bar Type Support for Drums and Other Percussion Instruments 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , there is shown a T-bar-type carrier  70  for percussion instruments which comprises a belly plate  71 , vertical supporting rods or tubes  72  and  73  having out-turned portions  74  and  75  supporting rigid shoulder supports  76  and  77  and back bar  78 . Back bar  78  may be removably secured to shoulder supports  78  or may be fixed as by welding or the like. 
     Belly plate  71  is removably secured on the lower ends of vertical rods or tubes  72  and  73  by clamping receptacles  79  and  80 . J-rod receptacles  81  and  82  are secured on belly plate  71  in slots  83  and  84  by screws or bolts or the like. J-rods  85  are secured in receptacles  81  and  82  by bolts  86 . The upper, out-turned ends  74  and  75  of supporting rods or tubes  72  and  73  are supported in clamping receptacles  87  and  88  on shoulder supports  76  and  77 . A clamp or brace  89  holds rods or tubes  72  and  73  against lateral and or torque displacement. 
     Shoulder supports  76  and  77  and back bar  78  have cushions  76   a ,  77   a  and  78   a , respectively. The cushions are of a type used to pad the interior of football and other sports helmets and are shown in more detail in the inventor&#39;s patent 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. Clamp/receptacles  88  may have a retaining slot  88   a  which receives and supports an optional J-hook  85  ( FIGS. 14 and 15 ) for connection to an upper part of a drum supported on carrier  70 . 
     The materials of construction used in this carrier  70  are very important for achieving the desired result. The belly plate  71 , vertical supporting rods or tubes  72  and  73 , shoulder supports  76  and  77  and back bar  78  are rigid and made of a light material such as plastic or light metal such as aluminum, magnesium or titanium. The metal shoulder supports have the advantage that different sizes are readily accommodated. 
     Operation 
     The operation of this carrier should be apparent but will be described briefly for clarity. The carrier  70  is worn by the musician with the shoulder supports  76  and  77  positioned over the shoulders and the belly plate  71  supported against the abdomen. J-rods  85  are inserted in position and secured in place by tightening bolts  86 . The short outer ends of the J-rods  85  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. 
     The carrier is adjustable to comfort of the wearer and also to fit different sized instruments. Clamp-receptacles  87  and  88  permit pivotal, lateral and angular adjustment of shoulder supports  76  and  77  on the out-turned ends  74  and  75  of rods or tubes  72  and  73 . Clamp-receptacles  79  and  80  permit vertical sliding adjustment of rods or tubes  72  and  73 . Slots  83  and  84  in belly plate  71  allow lateral adjustment of clamp-receptacles  81  and  82  and angular adjustment of J-rods  85  supported therein. 
     Double Facing J-Rod Receptacles and Application 
     In  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10  there is shown a double facing receptacle for securing more than one J-rod or post. Receptacle  274  is cast or extruded and has a pair of open edge portions  274  facing in opposite directions which can flex to clamp J-rods or posts adjustably. Receptacles  273  have inner surfaces that provides for surfaces, which clamp the surface of the J-rods or posts. 
     This is a superior clamping arrangement to set screws that provide only one or two point clamping contact. Holes  275  in the base of each receptacle are used for mounting by means of bolts or screws or the like. Aligned holes  276 ,  277  receive clamping screws, which operate on adjustment to clamp, or to release the J-rod or post secured therein. 
     Another Embodiment of Marching T-Bar Type Support for Drums and Other Percussion Instruments 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , there is shown a T-bar-type carrier  50  for percussion instruments which comprises a belly plate  51 , an inverted U-shaped vertical supporting rod or tube  52 . Rod or tube  52  has parallel portions  52   a  and  52   b  supporting belly plate  51 . Rigid shoulder supports  56  and  57  are secured on bar  53 . 
     Belly plate  51  is removably secured on the lower ends  52   a  and  52   b  of vertical rod or tube  52  by clamping receptacles  59  and  60 . J-rod receptacles  61  and  62  are secured on belly plate  51 . J-rods  65  are secured in receptacles  61  and  62  by bolts  66 . The upper U-portion of supporting rod or tube  52  is supported in clamping receptacles  273 . In the opposing side of clamping receptacles  273 , a shoulder supporting member formed from one or a multiple of tube sections has shoulder tube sections  63 ,  64  and back member portion  58 . The materials of construction used in this carrier  50  are very important for achieving the desired result. The belly plate  51 , supporting rod or tube  52 , and shoulder members  63 ,  64  and  58  are made of a light material such as plastic or a light metal such as aluminum, magnesium or titanium. 
     Shoulder and back member supports  63 ,  64  and  58  have cushions  78   a , respectively. The cushions are of a type used to pad the interior of football and other sports helmets and are shown in more detail in the inventor&#39;s patent 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. 
     Operation 
     The operation of this carrier should be apparent but will be described briefly for clarity. The carrier  50  is worn by the musician with the shoulder members  63  and  64  positioned over the shoulders and the belly plate  51  supported against the abdomen. J-rods  65  are inserted in position and secured in place by tightening bolts  66 . The short outer ends of the J-rods  65  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. 
     The carrier is adjustable to comfort of the wearer and also to fit different sized instruments. Clamp-receptacle  273  permits pivotal adjustment of shoulder members  63  and  64 . Clamp-receptacles  59 ,  60  and  273  permit vertical sliding adjustment of rod or tube  52 ,  63  and  64 . Clamp-receptacles  61  and  62  permit angular adjustment of J-rods  65 . 
     Another Embodiment of Marching T-Bar Type Support for Drums and Other Percussion Instruments 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , there is shown a T-bar-type carrier  70 , as in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5 ,  6  and  11 , for percussion instruments which comprises a belly plate  71 , vertical supporting rods or tubes  72  and  73  having out-turned portions  74  and  75  supporting rigid shoulder supports  76  and  77  and back bar  78 . Back bar  78  may be removably secured to shoulder supports  78  or may be fixed as by welding or the like. Detail views of the clamping hardware are shown in  FIGS. 13 ,  14  and  15 . 
     Belly plate  71  is removably secured on the lower ends of vertical rods or tubes  72  and  73  by clamping receptacles  79  and  80 . J-rod receptacles  81  and  82  are secured on belly plate  71  in slots  83  and  84  by screws or bolts or the like. J-rods  85  are secured in receptacles  81  and  82  by bolts  86 . The upper, out-turned ends  74  and  75  of supporting rods or tubes  72  and  73  are supported in clamping receptacles  87  and  88  on shoulder supports  76  and  77 . J-hooks  88   b  are installed in slots  88   a  on receptacle/clamp  88  and the J-rods  85  are inverted for a different drum being supported thereon. A clamp or brace  89  holds rods or tubes  72  and  75  against lateral and or torque displacement. 
     Shoulder supports  76  and  77  and back bar  78  have cushions  76   a ,  77   a  and  78   a , respectively. The cushions are of a type used to pad the interior of football and other sports helmets and are shown in more detail in the inventor&#39;s patent 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. Clamp/receptacles  88  may have a retaining slot  88   a  which receives and supports an optional J-hook  88   b  ( FIG. 7 ) for connection to an upper part of a drum supported on carrier  70 . 
     The materials of construction used in this carrier  70  are very important for achieving the desired result. The belly plate  71 , vertical supporting rods or tubes  72  and  73 , shoulder supports  76  and  77  and back bar  78  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 
     The operation of this carrier should be apparent but will be described briefly for clarity. The carrier  70  is worn by the musician with the shoulder supports  76  and  77  positioned over the shoulders and the belly plate  71  supported against the abdomen. J-rods  85  are inserted in position and secured in place by tightening bolts  86 . The short outer ends of the J-rods  85  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. 
     The carrier is adjustable to comfort of the wearer and also to fit different sized instruments. Clamp-receptacles  87  and  88  permit pivotal, lateral and angular adjustment of shoulder supports  76  and  77  on the out-turned ends  74  and  75  of rods or tubes  72  and  73 . Clamp-receptacles  79  and  80  permit vertical sliding adjustment of rods or tubes  72  and  73 . Slots  83  and  84  in belly plate  71  allow lateral adjustment of clamp-receptacles  81  and  82  and angular adjustment of J-rods  85  supported therein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , there is shown a T-bar-type carrier  70 , as in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5 ,  6 ,  11  and  12 , for percussion instruments which comprises a belly plate  71 , vertical supporting rods or tubes  72  and  73  having out-turned portions  74  and  75  supporting rigid shoulder supports  76  and  77  and back bar  78 . Back bar  78  may be removably secured to shoulder supports  78  or may be fixed as by welding or the like. 
     Belly plate  71  is removably secured on the lower ends of vertical rods or tubes  72  and  73  by clamping receptacles  79  and  80 . J-rod receptacles  81  and  82  are secured on belly plate  71  in slots  83  and  84  by screws or bolts or the like. J-rods  85  are secured in receptacles  81  and  82  by bolts  86 . The upper, out-turned ends  74  and  75  of supporting rods or tubes  72  and  73  are supported in clamping receptacles  87  and  88  on shoulder supports  76  and  77 . J-hooks  88   b  are installed in slots  88   a  on receptacle/clamp  88  and the J-rods  85  are inverted for a different drum being supported thereon. A clamp or brace  89  holds rods or tubes  72  and  73  against lateral and or torque displacement. 
     Shoulder supports  76  and  77  and back bar  78  have cushions  76   a ,  77   a  and  78   a , respectively. The cushions are of a type used to pad the interior of football and other sports helmets and are shown in more detail in the inventor&#39;s patent 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. Clamp/receptacles  88  may have a retaining slot  88   a  which receives and supports an optional J-hook  88   b  ( FIG. 7 ) for connection to an upper part of a drum supported on carrier  70 . 
     The materials of construction used in this carrier  70  are very important for achieving the desired result. The belly plate  71 , vertical supporting rods or tubes  72  and  73 , shoulder supports  76  and  77  and back bar  78  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 
     The operation of this carrier should be apparent but will be described briefly for clarity. The carrier  70  is worn by the musician with the shoulder supports  76  and  77  positioned over the shoulders and the belly plate  71  supported against the abdomen. J-rods  85  are inserted in position and secured in place by tightening bolts  86 . The short outer ends of the J-rods  85  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. 
     The carrier is adjustable to comfort of the wearer and also to fit different sized instruments. Clamp-receptacles  87  and  88  permit pivotal, lateral and angular adjustment of shoulder supports  76  and  77  on the out-turned ends  74  and  75  of rods or tubes  72  and  73 . Clamp-receptacles  79  and  80  permit vertical sliding adjustment of rods or tubes  72  and  73 . Slots  83  and  84  in belly plate  71  allow lateral adjustment of clamp-receptacles  81  and  82  and angular adjustment of J-rods  85  supported therein. 
     Another Embodiment of Marching T-Bar Type Support for Drums and Other Percussion Instruments 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , there is shown a T-bar-type carrier  70 , as in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5 ,  6 ,  11 ,  12  and  16 , for percussion instruments which comprises a belly plate  71 , vertical supporting rods or tubes  72  and  73  supporting shoulder tubes or rods  68  and  69  with back bar  58 . Back bar  58  may be removably secured to shoulder tube or rods  68  and  69  or may be formed from a single piece or tube or rod or fabricated to telescope together or formed from a welded or fabricated assembly. 
     Belly plate  71  is removably secured on the lower ends of vertical rods or tubes  72  and  73  by clamping receptacles  79  and  80 . J-rod receptacles  81  and  82  are secured on belly plate  71  in slots  84  by screws or bolts or the like. J-rods  85  are secured in receptacles  81  and  82  by bolts. A clamp or brace  89  holds rods or tubes  72 / 68  and  73 / 69  against lateral and or torque displacement. 
     Shoulder rods or tubes  68  and  69  and back tube, rod or bar  58  have cushions  7   78   a . The cushions  78   a  are of a type used to pad the interior of football and other sports helmets and are shown in more detail in the inventor&#39;s patent 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 materials of construction used in this carrier  70  are very important for achieving the desired result. The belly plate  71 , vertical supporting rods or tubes  72 / 68  and  73 / 69  and back tube, rod or member  58  are rigid and made of a light material such as plastic or a light metal such as aluminum, magnesium or titanium. 
     Operation 
     The operation of this carrier should be apparent but will be described briefly for clarity. The carrier  70  is worn by the musician with the shoulder tubes, rods or supports  68  and  69  positioned over the shoulders and the belly plate  71  supported against the abdomen. J-rods  85  are inserted in position and secured in place by tightening bolts  86 . The short outer ends of the J-rods  85  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. 
     Another Embodiment with Adjustably Positioned J-Rod Clamps 
     Referring to  FIGS. 18 and 19 , there is shown a vest- or T-bar-type carrier  91  for percussion instruments, which comprises a vest portion or belly plate portion  90  having two pairs of receptacles  93  secured thereon by screws or bolts. Supporting tubes  94  are supported in receptacles  93  and secured in position by square head bolts  95 , which may be operated by a drum key (not shown). 
     Receptacles  93  are cast or extruded and have an open edge portion  86 , which can flex to clamp tubes  94  adjustably Receptacles  93  have an inner surface that is non-circular, e.g., polygonal, serrated, or the like, which provides a plurality of surfaces, which clamp the surface of the tubes  94 . This is a superior clamping arrangement to set screws that provide only one or two point clamping contact. 
     Two part tube clamps  87  have mating portions  88  and  99  secured together to clamp tube  94  and J-rods  85 . Aligned holes in mating portions  88  and  99  receive square headed bolts, which are operated by a drum key to clamp or to release the tube  94  and J-rod  85 . 
     Operation 
     The operation of this carrier should be apparent but will be described briefly for clarity. The carrier  91  is worn by the musician with the vest or belly plate  92  supported against his abdomen. Receptacle bases  93  are secured on vest or belly plate  92 . Square-headed bolts  95  secure supporting tubes  94  for longitudinal adjustment of position therein. Square-headed bolts are operated to clamp two part clamp  87  around J-rod  85  or tube  94 . This construction permits independent vertical adjustment of J-rod  100  and rotary movement of the J-rod on supporting tube  94 . 
     Marching Vest-Type Support for Drums and Other Percussion Instruments 
     Referring to  FIG. 20 , there is shown a vest-type carrier  100  for percussion instruments which comprises a vest  101 , vertical supporting rods or tubes  102  and  103  having outturned portions  104  and  105  supporting rigid shoulder supports  106  and  107  and back bar  108 . Back bar  108  may be removably secured to shoulder supports  106  and  107  or may be fixed as by welding or the like. 
     Vest  101  is removably secured on the lower ends of vertical rods or tubes  102  and  103  by clamping receptacles  109  and  110 . J-rod receptacles  111  and  112  may be secured on vest plate  101  in slots by screws or bolts or the like. J-rods  113  are secured in receptacles  111  and  112  by bolts  114 . The upper, out-turned ends  104  and  105  of supporting rods or tubes  102  and  103  are supported in clamping receptacles  115  and  116  on shoulder supports  106  and  107 . A clamp  117  holds rods or tubes  102  and  103  against lateral and or torque displacement. 
     The materials of construction used in this carrier  100  are very important for achieving the desired result. The vest  101 , vertical supporting rods or tubes  102  and  103 , shoulder supports  106  and  107  and back bar  108  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 
     The operation of this carrier should be apparent but will be described briefly for clarity. The carrier  100  is worn by the musician with the shoulder supports  106  and  107  positioned over the shoulders and the vest  101  supported against the abdomen and chest. J-rods  113  are inserted in position and secured in place by tightening bolts  114 . The short outer ends of the J-rods  113  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. 
     The carrier is adjustable to comfort of the wearer and also to fit different sized instruments. Clamp-receptacles  115  and  116  permit pivotal, lateral and angular adjustment of shoulder supports  106  and  107  on the out-turned ends  104  and  105  of rods or tubes  102  and  103 . Clamp-receptacles  109  and  110  permit vertical sliding adjustment of rods or tubes  102  and  103 . Slots in vest  101  allow lateral adjustment of clamp-receptacles  111  and  112  and angular adjustment of J-rods  113  supported therein. 
     Thus, specific embodiments of a rod or tubular shoulder supported carrier for percussion instruments have been disclosed. Moreover, the described implementations of the invention are susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions. It should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 3