Percussion drum

Abstract

The invention relates to a percussion box (1), comprising two half-drums (2, 3), and at least one removable assembly flange (4) for joining the half-drums (2, 3) to each other, such that, in an assembled position of the half-drums (2, 3), a spacing (5) is maintained between the half-drums (2, 3), characterized in that said box (1) comprises absorption means (8) located between the two half-drums (2, 3) and configured to prevent the transmission of vibrations by contact from one half-drum (2, 3) to the other via the assembly flange (4). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Percussion box technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of percussion musical instruments, and more particularly to that of acoustic drum kits. It finds a particularly advantageous application for double-headed drums. Prior art

[0002] There is a constant desire to improve the sound characteristics of percussion drums used in acoustic drum kits.

[0003] A double-headed drum kit comprises a batter head on its top and a resonant head on its underside. The resonant head is configured to vibrate when struck against the batter head, and to vibrate longer than the batter head in order to generate a sound effect known as "sustain," which prolongs the sound resulting from the vibration of the batter head. The transmission of vibrations from the batter head to the resonant head occurs primarily through the air inside the drum kit.

[0004] It is known to propose drum bodies comprising two half-shells and a vent located between them, in order to equalize the pressures between the inside and outside of the body. Documents FR3065108 and US578198, for example, propose such bodies. These bodies have the disadvantage that, as a result of striking the drum, the inside of the body is in contact with the outside, thus reducing the period of time during which the air inside the body is vibrating. Furthermore, since the two heads are in contact via the cylinders formed by the half-shells, the vibration of the resonating head is rapidly attenuated when the striking head ceases to vibrate. This results in a significantly shortened sustain, which poses a problem for certain musical applications. Description of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a drum, for example a snare drum, having a spacing between drums, and whose "sustain" is extended.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a percussion box, comprising two half-drums, and at least one removable assembly flange for the half-drums together, so that, in an assembled position of the half-drums, a spacing is maintained between the half-drums, characterized in that said box comprises absorption means located between the two half-drums and configured to prevent the transmission of vibrations by contact from one half-drum to the other via the assembly flange.

[0007] Thanks to these arrangements, the vibrations of the resonating head are not dampened when the striking head stops vibrating, and the "sustain" effect is preserved.

[0008] In particular, the invention allows for independent vibration between the two halves of the drum. The upper half vibrates primarily through the transmission of vibration from the upper drumhead, i.e., the batter head, and the lower half vibrates through the transmission of vibration from the lower drumhead, known as the resonating head.

[0009] These two half-drums are not stiffened by a rigid attachment, or by direct physical contact between the upper and lower half-drums.

[0010] The fact that the half-drums vibrate independently allows for an increased duration of vibration of the two skins.

[0011] The absorption means can be located between the assembly flange and at least one of the half-drums, which allows the use of a standard commercial assembly flange.

[0012] The absorption means can be located between the assembly flange and each half-drum, which reinforces the vibration barrier formed between the half-drums by the absorption means.

[0013] Preferably, the edges of the half-drums closest to the other half-drum each have a conical surface extending over their entire circumference, said conical surfaces facing each other and being parallel to each other, the distance between said conical surfaces being less than 3.5 mm, or even less than 2 mm, for example on the order of 0.5 mm.

[0014] Each half-drum may include a median band located on the periphery of its edge closest to the other half-drum, which reinforces the mechanical strength of said edge. In this case, the median bands may each include the conical surface.

[0015] Of course, with or without hoops, the facing faces of each half-barrel can be flat or conical.

[0016] Said case may include additional absorption means mounted in contact with the median hoops of the half-drums, and configured to maintain the spacing between the half-drums and prevent the transmission of vibrations by contact from one half-drum to the other, which makes it possible to maintain the spacing between the half-drums when striking the batter head, and thus to prevent vibrations from being transmitted by contact from one half-drum to the other during a particularly strong strike.

[0017] The absorption means in contact with the median hoops of the half-drums can be distributed over the circumference of said median hoops, which enhances their effectiveness.

[0018] Said case may include at least one means of assembly distinct from the flange, disposed between the median hoops of the half-drums, which reinforces the rigidity of the case and its mechanical strength.

[0019] The assembly flange and, where applicable, said assembly means may include closures, such as ball closures each comprising a rod intended to fit into a locking hole, which is a simple way of obtaining a secure lock and allowing some play.

[0020] Of course, any type of closure can be used, in particular allowing for secure locking with a certain amount of play, for example a quarter-turn type closure.

[0021] The assembly flange is therefore advantageously equipped with two closure systems such as those mentioned above, for example ball closure or quarter or any other type of closure, so as to be removable and to attach at two points, i.e. on each half-barrel.

[0022] The hoops may each include a conical surface extending over their entire circumference, said conical surfaces facing each other and being parallel to each other, the distance between said conical surfaces being less than 0.5 mm.

[0023] The conical shape of the hoops is directed from bottom to top. This orientation limits and therefore delays the loss of sound vibrations traveling from the upper head to the lower head. This configuration improves the sustain effect, since the air pressure exerted on the lower head is greater when the air propelled by the activation of the upper head reaches it.

[0024] Said case may include at least two assembly flanges, which reinforces its rigidity and mechanical strength. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a percussion box according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0026] Fig. 2 is a side view of the case of Fig. 1.

[0027] Fig. 3 is a top view of the case of Fig. 1.

[0028] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a percussion box according to a second method of embodiment of the invention.

[0029] Fig. 5 is a side view of the case of Fig. 4.

[0030] Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a detail of Fig. 5.

[0031] Fig. 7 is a top view of the case of Fig. 4. Detailed description of the invention

[0032] With reference to the figures, the percussion box 1 according to the invention comprises two half-drums: an upper half-drum 2, and a lower half-drum 3. The half-drums are assembled together, in a detachable manner, by means of an assembly flange 4. When the half-drums 2, 3 are assembled together, in the position of use of the box 1, a spacing 5 is present between the half-drums 2, 3.

[0033] The assembly flange 4 is preferably fixed on the sides of the half-drums 2, 3.

[0034] The percussion box 1 has an upper skin P, called the striking skin, at the upper end of the upper half-shell 2, and a lower skin, called the resonating skin, at the lower end of the lower half-shell 3.

[0035] In certain embodiments, an example of which is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the gap 5 is formed between the lower end of the upper half-shaft 2 and the upper end of the lower half-shaft 3. Median bands 6 may form these ends. Such a gap 5 may be as small as 1 mm, and is preferably between 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm.

[0036] In other embodiments, an example of which is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the half-barrels 2, 3 each have a conical surface 7 near one of their ends, the conical surfaces 7 facing each other and being parallel. Such a spacing 5, shown in [Fig. 6], can be as small as 0.5 mm, but preferably varies between 0.5 and 2 mm.

[0037] The casing 1 includes absorption means 8 located between the half-drums 2, 3. By "located between," it is meant that the half-drums 2 are in contact via one or more intermediate parts, and at least one of these intermediate parts performs the absorption function described below. The absorption means 8 prevent the transmission of vibrations by contact from one half-drum 2, 3 to the other, via the assembly flange 4.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiments, the absorption means 8 are located between the assembly flange 4 and the two half-barrels 2, 3. However, other solutions are possible: the absorption means 8 could be arranged only between the assembly flange 4 and only one of the half-barrels 2, 3, or the absorption means 8 could be part of the assembly flange 4, in the case where the assembly flange 4 has a section made of a material having the right vibration absorption properties.

[0039] The absorption means 8 are for example pads, which can be as shown in the figures of cylindrical shape, or of any other relevant shape.

[0040] The absorption means 8 can be made in an elastomer having elasticity allowing the absorption of vibrations, or in any other material allowing the invention to be carried out.

[0041] Each half-barrel 2, 3 preferably has a median band 6 located on the periphery of its edge closest to the other half-barrel 2, 3, that is to say at its lower end for the upper half-barrel 2 and at its upper end for the lower half-barrel 3.

[0042] The median band 6 helps to reinforce the edges of the half-barrels 2, 3.

[0043] In some embodiments, the central band 6 may be used to support certain elements. It is then, for example, made of wood.

[0044] Thus, the case 1 can include additional absorption means 8, mounted on the median hoops 6, which are mounted in contact with the median hoops 6 of the half-drums 2, 3. The additional absorption means 8 make it possible to maintain the spacing 5, when striking the upper skin P, while preventing the transmission of vibrations by contact between the half-drums 2, 3. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the additional absorption means 8 are, for example, arranged at the level of bosses 9 of the median hoops 6.

[0045] The additional absorption means 8 are for example fixed to a first of the median hoops 6, and supported on the second of the median hoops 6, which facilitates the dismantling of the half-drums 2, 3.

[0046] The additional absorption means 8 are preferably distributed around the circumference of the half-drums 2, 3, for example in two, three or four locations around this circumference.

[0047] In order to reinforce the rigidity of the casing 1, it may include assembly means 10 separate from the flange 4. The assembly means 10 are preferably arranged between the median bands 6 of the half-barrels 2, 3. The assembly means 10 are for example arranged at the level of bosses 9 of the median bands 6.

[0048] The assembly means 10 are preferably distributed around the circumference of the half-barrels 2, 3, for example in two, three or four locations around this circumference.

[0049] The flange 4, and if the housing has them, the assembly means 10, may include ball catches. The ball catch comprises a rod, designed to be inserted into a locking hole, the rod being fitted with balls. In the locked position, the balls are partially extended outside the rod and abut against a conical surface of the locking hole, preventing the rod from being extracted from the locking hole. In the unlocked position, the balls can retract into the rod, allowing the rod to be extracted from the locking hole. The ball catch conventionally includes a button 11. At rest, the ball catch is in the locked position, and pressing the button 11 moves the ball catch to the unlocked position.

[0050] The ball closure allows for a certain degree of freedom of movement, in the locked position, in translation parallel to the axis of its stem. In practice, the play in the ball closure can be up to 1 mm to allow the two drum halves to vibrate independently without being hindered by the attachment. The attachment is made non-rigid by the play introduced into the ball closure system. Stability is ensured by the presence of a transverse attachment. Other fastening systems offering the same function can therefore also be advantageously used within the framework of the present invention.

[0051] The case 1 may include a single assembly flange 4, as illustrated in [Fig.3], or a plurality of assembly flanges 4, for example three flanges 4, as illustrated in [Fig.7].

[0052] The assembly flange 4 may include a means of fixing 12 to a vertical rod of a support, for example a cylindrical opening 12, allowing the case 1 to be fixed to a foot.

[0053] The case 1 further preferably includes end hoops 13, located at the upper end of the upper half-shell 2 and at the lower end of the lower half-shell 3. The end hoops 13 cooperate with tie rods 14 allowing the batter head P to be tuned in a known manner.

[0054] When the half-drums 2, 3 are separated from each other, a plurality of cases 1 can be stored and / or transported by nesting the half-drums 2, 3 of the different cases 1 inside one another, like Russian dolls. This is particularly relevant for an acoustic drum kit, which comprises several cases 1 of different dimensions.

Claims

Demands

1. Percussion box (1), comprising two half-drums (2, 3), and at least one assembly flange (4) removable from the half-drums (2, 3) to each other, so that, in an assembled position of the half-drums (2, 3), a spacing (5) is maintained between the half-drums (2, 3), characterized in that said box (1) comprises absorption means (8) situated between the two half-drums (2, 3) and configured to prevent the transmission of vibrations by contact from one half-drum (2, 3) to the other via the assembly flange (4).

2. Casing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the absorption means (8) are located between the assembly flange (4) and at least one of the half-drums (2, 3).

3. Casing (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the absorption means (8) are located between the assembly flange (4) and each half-barrel (2, 3).

4. Casing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the edges of the half-drums (2, 3) closest to the other half-drum (2, 3) each have a conical surface (7) extending over their entire circumference, said conical surfaces (7) facing each other and being parallel to each other, the distance between said conical surfaces (7) being less than 3.5 mm.

5. Casing (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises additional absorption means (8) mounted in contact with the median bands (6) of the half-drums (2, 3), and are configured to maintain the spacing between the half-drums (2, 3) and prevent the transmission of vibrations by contact from one half-drum (2, 3) to the other.

6. Box (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the absorption means (8) in contact with the median bands (6) of the half-drums (2, 3) are distributed over the circumference of said median bands (6).

7. Casing (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one assembly means (10) distinct from the flange (4), disposed between the median bands (6) of the half-drums (2, 3).

8. A case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the assembly flange (4) and, where applicable, said assembly means (10) comprise closures, such as ball closures each comprising a rod designed to fit into a locking hole.

9. Case (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the assembly flange (4) comprises two closures, such as ball closures, for attaching to each half-barrel.

10. Case (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the edges of the half-drums (2, 3) closest to the other half-drum (2, 3) each have a median band (6), the median bands (6) each have the conical surface (7).

11. Box (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises at least two assembly flanges (4).

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