Drumhead tensioning system, apparatus, and method

• US 7,495,161 B1
• Filed: 10/16/2007
• Issued: 02/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daniel Willis Richards
• Original Assignee: Daniel Willis Richards
• Inventors: Richards, Daniel W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lockett; Kimberly R
• Application Number:
  US11/974,862
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 844/15, 844/11.R
• 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 drumhead tensioning and tuning apparatus comprises opposed carriage-like tensioning-tuning assemblies each of which comprises a drum gauge and a torque-supplying implement for selectively rotating head tensioning rods of a drum assembly. The tensioning-tuning assemblies are track mounted such that the opposed assemblies may be linearly displaced relative to one another. The apparatus may thus be positioned diametrically across drums of varying dimensions and the tensioning-tuning assemblies may be outfitted adjacent or at opposed drumhead portions for simultaneously tensioning and tuning the opposed drumhead portions. The apparatus may then be removed from the first set of opposed drumhead portions and outfitted upon a successive pair of drumhead portions according to standard drum tuning sequencing schemes. The ability to simultaneously tension and tune sequential and successive pairs of opposed drumhead portions enables expedited drumhead tuning. Certain drumhead tuning methodology is further supported by the apparatus.

Claims

1. A drumhead tuning system for expediting drumhead tuning, the tuning system comprising, in combination:

a drum assembly, the drum assembly comprising a drumhead, a shell, a counterhoop, and a plurality of tensioning rod assemblies, each tensioning rod assembly comprising a screw and a lug, the lugs being attached to the shell, the drumhead being stretched over the shell and there held by the counterhoop, the screws screw-connecting the lugs to the counterhoop for enabling drumhead tensioning by screw-displacing the counterhoop relative to the lugs;

opposed tensioning-tuning assemblies, each tensioning-tuning assembly comprising pressure-measuring means for measuring tympanic pressure and torque-supplying means for supplying screw-rotating torque, the torque-supplying means being cooperable with linearly opposed screws for enabling the user to selectively and simultaneously tension opposed drumhead portions, the pressure-measuring means for enabling the user to selectively and simultaneously monitor drumhead tension at the opposed drumhead portions, the tuning system thus for expediting drumhead tuning.

2. The drumhead tuning system of claim 1 comprising a track, the opposed tensioning-tuning assemblies being track-mounted and displaceable upon the track, the tensioning-tuning assemblies being cooperably displaceable relative to one another via the track for positioning the torque-supplying means with screws of variously dimensioned drum assemblies.

3. The drumhead tuning system of claim 2 wherein the track is substantially linear, the substantially linear track for ensuring linear tensioning-tuning assembly displacements.

4. The drumhead tuning system of claim 3 wherein the track comprises parallel rail members and the tensioning-tuning assemblies comprise rail-guide assemblies, the rail members and rail-guide assemblies for reinforcing linear tuning assembly displacements.

5. The drumhead tuning system of claim 4 wherein the rail-guide assemblies comprise rail-receiving apertures, the rail members being slidably received in the rail-receiving apertures for enabling sliding guide assembly action, the rail-receiving apertures being sized and shaped for preventing transverse tensioning-tuning assembly displacements.

6. The drumhead tuning system of claim 5 wherein the rail-receiving apertures are outfitted with friction-reducing sleeves, the sleeves for reducing friction intermediate the rail-guide assemblies and the rail members and for minimizing thermal effects on the system.

7. The drumhead tuning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the torque-supplying means comprise spring resistance, the spring resistance for imparting restorative forces coaxial with supplied torque.

8. A drumhead tuning apparatus for expediting drumhead tuning, the tuning apparatus comprising:

a track, the track comprising first and second track ends;

tension adjusting means for simultaneously adjusting drumhead tension adjacent the track ends; and

combination tension monitoring and pressure measuring means for simultaneously monitoring drumhead tension and measuring tympanic pressure adjacent the track ends, the track for track-guiding said tension monitoring and adjusting means intermediate the track ends for adjusting and monitoring tension at diametrically opposed drumhead portions.

9. The drumhead tuning apparatus of claim 8 wherein the tension adjusting means are defined by torque supplying means for supplying torque to head tensioning rods.

10. The drumhead tuning apparatus of claim 8 wherein the track comprises parallel rail members and the tension monitoring and adjusting means are borne by rail-guide assemblies, the rail members for reinforcing track-guidance intermediate the track ends.

11. The drumhead tuning apparatus of claim 10 wherein the rail-guide assemblies comprise rail-receiving apertures, the rail members being received in the rail-receiving apertures for enabling sliding guide assembly action, the rail-receiving apertures being sized and shaped for preventing transverse guide assembly displacements.

12. The drumhead tuning apparatus of claim 11 wherein the rail-receiving apertures are outfitted with friction-reducing sleeves, the sleeves for minimizing friction and thermal effects on the apparatus.

13. The drumhead tuning apparatus of claim 9 wherein the torque-supplying means comprise spring resistance, the spring resistance for imparting restorative forces coaxial with supplied torque.

14. A drumhead tuning method for expediting drumhead tuning, the method comprising the steps of:

rail track-guiding tension monitoring means upon parallel rails to opposed drumhead portions;

engaging the tension monitoring means with the opposed drumhead portions;

monitoring drumhead tension at the opposed drumhead portions;

selectively tensioning the opposed drumhead portions; and

disengaging the tension monitoring means from the opposed drumhead portions when the monitored drumhead tension at the opposed drumhead portions is equivalent.

15. The drumhead tuning method of claim 14 comprising the step of synchronizing the tension monitoring means before engaging the opposed drumhead portions.

16. The drumhead tuning method of claim 14 wherein friction and thermal effects are minimized while track-guiding the tension monitoring means to the opposed drumhead portions.

17. The drumhead tuning method of claim 14 wherein the steps are repeated with successive pairs of opposed drumhead portions until the monitored drumhead tension at all opposed drumhead portions is equivalent.

18. The drumhead tuning method of claim 14 wherein the step of selectively tensioning the opposed drumhead portions is defined by rotating tensioning rods via applied torque.

19. The drumhead tuning method of claim 18 comprising the step of spring-resisting the applied torque.

20. The drumhead tuning method of claim 19 comprising the step of coaxially aligning spring resistance with applied torque.