Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of applicant&#39;s applications Ser. No. 08/588,244 filed Jan. 18, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,492, issued Nov. 25, 1997 and Ser. No. 08/976,999 filed Nov. 24, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,257, issued Feb. 22, 2000. 
    
    
     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. Further, the present invention relates to a carrier hardware including a novel support for percussion instruments and to carrier assemblies supporting percussion instruments on a person while standing, walking or marching. The carrier assembly has an adjustable construction and relationship of parts to transfer the weight of the percussion instrument(s) to the body of a person carrying the same to maintain a stable attitude while walking or marching about and avoid pressure or other forms of detrimental forces on the shoulders and lower back 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     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 straps 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 therefrom. Upwardly-facing hooks, a spacer bar extending downward from the hooks, and a spacing abutment carried by the spacer bar and extending forward therefrom 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; May U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,910 and May U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,810. 
     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 straps, and back bar in which the shoulder straps are removable and/or adjustable. 
     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 straps. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved carrier for percussion instruments having shoulder straps and an adjustable back bar. 
     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. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     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 straps and back bar. 
     FIG. 7 is a detail isometric view of connection of the shoulder straps of FIG. 6 with optional J-hooks for supporting a bass drum. 
     FIG. 8 is a front isometric view of the fully assembled carrier and supporting hardware of FIG. 6 with J-rods positioned in an inverted position for supporting the drum. 
     FIG. 9 is a rear isometric view of the embodiment of FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 10 is a front isometric view of the fully assembled carrier and supporting hardware of FIG. 8 with J-rods positioned in a normal position for supporting the drum. 
     FIG. 11 is a detail isometric view of the clamp shown in FIG. 10 showing the connection of the vertical supporting rods and/or tubes. 
     FIG. 12 is a detail isometric view of clamp for the shoulder straps shown in FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 13 is a detail isometric view of the adjustable supporting clamp on the belly plate of the drum-supporting hardware of FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 14 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. 
     FIG. 15 is a detail isometric view of another embodiment of the shoulder strap connecting hardware. 
     FIG. 16 is a detail end view of the shoulder strap connecting hardware of FIG.  15 . 
     FIG. 17 is a detail isometric view of another embodiment of the shoulder strap connecting hardware having a fixed connection to the vertical supporting plate of a T-bar assembly. 
     FIG. 18 is a detail end view of the shoulder strap connecting hardware of FIG.  17 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     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 straps  16  and  17  and back bar  18 . Back bar  18  may be removably secured to shoulder straps  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 straps  16  and  17 . A clamp  29  holds rods or tubes  12  and  13  against lateral 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 straps  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 straps 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 straps  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 straps  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 straps  36  and  37  and back bar  38 . Back bar  38  may be removably secured to shoulder straps  36  and  37  or may be fixed as by welding or the like. Shoulder straps  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 copending application Ser. No. 08/976,999. 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 straps  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 straps  36  and  37  and back bar  38  are rigid and made of a light metal such as aluminum, magnesium or titanium. The metal shoulder straps 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 straps  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 straps  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 straps  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 straps  56  and  57 . The materials of construction used in this carrier  30  are very important for achieving the desired result. The belly plate  51 , supporting rod or tube  52 , and shoulder straps  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 straps  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 straps  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 straps  76  and  77  and back bar  78 . Back bar  78  may be removably secured to shoulder straps  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 straps  76  and  77 . A clamp  89  holds rods or tubes  12  and  13  against lateral displacement. 
     Shoulder straps  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 copending application Ser. No. 08/976,999. 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 straps  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 straps 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 straps  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 straps  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. 
     Three additional embodiments of this carrier are shown in FIGS. 8-13. 
     Another Embodiment of Marching T-Bar Type Support for Drums and Other Percussion Instruments 
     Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a T-bar-type carrier  70 , as in FIGS. 6 and 7, 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 straps  76  and  77  and back bar  78 . Back bar  78  may be removably secured to shoulder straps  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 straps  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  89  holds rods or tubes  12  and  13  against lateral displacement. 
     Shoulder straps  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 copending application Ser. No. 08/976,999. 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 straps  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 straps 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 straps  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 straps  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. 9, there is shown a T-bar-type carrier  70 , as in FIG. 8, 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 straps  76  and  77  and back bar  78 . Back bar  78  may be removably secured to shoulder straps  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 straps  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  89  holds rods or tubes  12  and  13  against lateral displacement. 
     Shoulder straps  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 copending application Ser. No. 08/976,999. 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 . 
     Back bar  78  has a two-piece slotted construction of the back bar which permits adjustment of the size thereof. The two pieces of back bar  78  are connected by connecting plate  178  having slots  179  and secured by bolts  180  for adjustment of its width. 
     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 straps  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 straps 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 straps  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 straps  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. 
     FIG. 10 shows the embodiment of FIGS. 9 with the cushioning of the shoulder straps and back bar omitted. The back bar  78  adjustable as in FIG.  9 . 
     Marching Vest-Type Support for Drums and Other Percussion Instruments 
     Referring to FIG. 14, 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 straps  106  and  107  and back bar  108 . Back bar  108  may be removably secured to shoulder straps  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 straps  106  and  107 . A clamp  117  holds rods or tubes  102  and  103  against lateral 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 straps  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 straps 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 straps  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 straps  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. 
     Another Embodiment of Marching T-Bar Type Support for Drums and Other Percussion Instruments 
     Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, there is shown the T-bar and shoulder straps of a T-bar-type carrier similar to that shown in FIG. 18 of copending application Ser. No. 08/976,999. T-bar carrier  90  has a belly plate (not shown); vertical bar  91 , upper polygonal-shaped horizontal bar  92 , shoulder straps  93  and back bar  94 . Back bar  94  is either fixed to or removably secured to shoulder straps  93 . Upper horizontal bar  92  is removably secured to shoulder straps  93  by clamps  95 . Upper horizontal bar  92  is removably secured to the upper end of vertical bar  91  by clamp  96 . Clamps  95  and  96  are polygon-ally shaped to fit the surface of bar  92  when tightened. 
     Shoulder straps  93  have pads  97  to cushion the load of the instruments carried by T-bar carrier  90 . Pads  97  are also be used in padding back bar  94  as described for the other embodiments described above. The pads  97  are of a type used to pad the interior of football and other sports helmets. 
     In FIGS. 17 and 18, the carrier is constructed as in FIGS. 15 and 16, except that polygonal bar  62  is secured non-rotatably to vertical bar  91  by screws  99 . 
     Operation 
     The operation of this carrier should be apparent but will be described briefly for clarity. The carrier  90  is worn by the musician with the shoulder straps  93  positioned over the shoulders and the belly plate (not shown) supported against his abdomen. Pads  97  on shoulder straps  93  cushion the load of the instruments carried by carrier  90 . Clamps  95  permit lateral adjustment of shoulder straps  93  and clamp  96  permits angular adjustment of bar  92  in the embodiment of FIG.  14 . 
     While this invention has been described fully and completely, with special emphasis on several preferred embodiments and/or applications, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Technology Category: g