Practice Drumhead Assembly with Mesh Membrane and Tensioning Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drum practice devices either produce loud sounds or fail to replicate the feel and sound characteristics of acoustic drums, and existing solutions are either complex or expensive to produce.
Innovation Solution
A practice drumhead assembly with a mesh membrane and an annular tensioning ring, using an elastomeric engagement member to attach to an acoustic drum, allowing for adjustable tension and reduced sound output while maintaining the feel and tone of an acoustic drum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a foam or rubber disc is placed over the drumhead membrane to reduce sound, then sound output is reduced, but the natural rebound and tone of the drum are eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a mesh membrane with open weave structure that allows air passage while maintaining drumhead tension and rebound characteristics. The porous mesh reduces sound output by allowing air to pass through while still providing the necessary playing surface that replicates acoustic drum feel and tone.
Solution Approach 2:
The practice drumhead assembly combines a mesh membrane with an annular frame and tensioning ring to create a composite structure that attaches to the acoustic drum. This composite design reduces sound while preserving the drum's natural characteristics.
2Stress or pressure
If a custom fabricated drumhead with an inflatable bladder is used to create tension, then drumhead tension can be achieved, but the device becomes complex and expensive to produce
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an adjustable tensioning ring that can be tightened or loosened to control drumhead tension. This simple mechanical adjustment replaces complex inflatable bladder systems while achieving the same tensioning effect through parameter changes in the tensioning mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential tensioning function from complex inflatable systems, using a simple annular tensioning ring that can be adjusted independently. This removes unnecessary complexity while maintaining the core function of creating drumhead tension.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a mesh membrane with open weave is used, then sound energy is reduced, but the structure becomes less rigid
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh membrane's porous structure reduces sound energy transmission while the annular frame and tensioning ring provide the necessary structural support and rigidity. The combination allows the membrane to be porous for sound reduction while the overall assembly maintains structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure of mesh membrane combined with rigid annular frame and tensioning ring creates a system where the membrane provides sound reduction and the frame provides structural rigidity, compensating for the reduced stiffness of the porous membrane.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The practice drumhead assembly provides a quiet practice solution that replicates the feel and sound characteristics of an acoustic drum with reduced sound energy, allowing for effective practice without damaging the acoustic drum and at a lower cost.
Implementation Method 1
the engagement member can be formed of an elastomeric material
Implementation Method 2
an annular tensioning ring for tensioning the mesh membrane
Implementation Method 3
The foam or rubber disc absorbs the force of a drumstick striking the disc and muffles its sound
Data Source
AI summary
A practice drumhead assembly including a mesh membrane held in substantially fixed relation to an acoustic membrane. The assembly preferably includes an annular tensioning ring for tensioning the mesh membrane, and an engagement member for substantially fixing the mesh membrane relative to the acoustic membrane. The tensioning ring includes a cylindrical rod with a turnbuckle that is rotated to increase the diameter of the tensioning ring.