MyMi free floating drum

• US 6,417,432 B1
• Filed: 06/04/2001
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael J. Downing
• Original Assignee: Michael J. Downing
• Inventors: Downing, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nappi, Robert E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOCKETT, KIMBERLY R
• Application Number:
  US09/873,856
• Time in Patent Office: 400 Days
• Field of Search: 844/11.R, 844/13, 844/11.A
• US Class Current: 84/411.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G10D 13/02 Drums; Tambourines with drumheads
• CPC Class Codes: G10D 13/16 Tuning devices; Hoops; Lugs

Abstract

A musical drum 40 which utilizes a principle of physics to achieve an unequal tensioning of the upper head 20 and the lower head 36 without the need of physical attachments or piercing of the drum shell 24. The shell of the drum 24 remains suspended by shell'"'"'s bearing edge 26, in contact only with the upper and lower heads 20 and 36 respectively. This allows the shell 24 of the drum to resonate freely and unencumbered by any attachments of hardware.

Claims

1. A drum head tensioning assembly comprising any combination inner intermediate hoop and outer hoop rim, said inner intermediate hoop being essentially L-shaped in cross sectional view and comprising of vertical flange, and outward directed foot-flange, said outer hoop rim overlaps the upper portion of said inner intermediate hoop;

(a) an annular step formed in the lower inner edge of said outer rim to accommodate a locking hoop, said drum skin being secured between said locking hoop and said annular step;

(b) means co-acting with said rims for varying the tension of said skin by varying the extent of overlap between said rims;

(c) a drum shell with an outside diameter being smaller than the inside diameter of said intermediate hoop;

(d) said drum shell upper perimeter bearing edge passing through intermediate hoop to contact said upper head said drum shell being of smaller outside diameter to insure avoidance of contact with larger inside diameter of said intermediate hoop;

(e) second opposing drum head placed over opposite perimeter bearing edge of said drum shell secured by second outer hoop rim adapted to maintain other drum skin in abutting force against lower perimeter edge of said drum shell said drum shell being of cylindrical configuration;

(f) a tension varying means in the form of a set of aligned apertures in said outer ring of said foot flange and threadable tension rod extending through said apertures for torquing down the assembly in overlapping position with the intermediate rim and received by a plural of aligning tension posts extending parallel to said shell;

(g) said shell being placed inside intermediate hoop with said perimeter bearing edge contacting upper head, second hoop rim has been tensioned to meet with opposing drum head against lower part of drum shell perimeter bearing edge;

(h) a plural of tuning posts to interlock upper outer said rim and said intermediate hoop to said lower head and said secondary rim after said shell has been placed in assembly.

2. A drum as claimed in claim 1 in which the outer hoop rim and inner intermediate hoop tension the drum head in overlapping fashion applying the principle of physics known as sheer tension to create a condition of stored energy resulting in the by-product of rigidity;

(a) said shell as in claim 1 having a smaller outside diameter than said intermediate hoop inside diameter passes through inside intermediate hoop and outer perimeter bearing edge contacts pre-tensioned head;

(b) second opposing head and said second rim overlaps opposing perimeter bearing edge of shell and by means of tension posts utilizes physical properties of pre-tensioned opposing head to support tensioning of second said head and said rim to tension secondary said head and rim from lesser to equal tension of pre-tensioned head.

3. A drum as claimed in claim 1 which utilizes the principle of physics whereby a means of pre-tensioning of a head allows the opposed bearing tensioning of a second head to an unequal tension without attachments, piercings or bearing of hardware to the said drum shell thereby allowing the said shell to resonate freely without restrictions and yields improved acoustical characteristics.