Snare Drum Throw Off Mechanism for Tuning Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pivoting throw off mechanisms for snare drums make it difficult to properly tune snares due to the need for disengagement, insertion of tuning aids, and reengagement, which often results in loss of tension and out-of-tune snares.
Innovation Solution
A snare drum with a strainer shaft and handle system that allows vertical movement of the snare assembly while maintaining parallel orientation to the drum head, enabling tuning without losing tension, using a linkage mechanism and parallel rails for sound amplification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the conventional pivoting throw off mechanism is used, then the snare assembly can be disengaged from the bottom head, but the snares lose tension and fall out of tune during the disengagement and reengagement process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a static pivoting mechanism to a dynamic linear translation mechanism. The strainer bar moves vertically in a straight line rather than rotating, allowing the snare assembly to be raised or lowered without the stretching and relaxing that occurs with pivoting. This linear motion maintains constant snare tension throughout the adjustment range, eliminating the tuning instability caused by conventional disengagement and reengagement operations.
2Measurement precision
If tuning aides are inserted between the snares and bottom head to tune the snares, then the snares can be tuned while disengaged, but the process becomes time-consuming and the snares may still lose tension when reengaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the need for tuning aides entirely from the tuning process. By providing a controlled linear translation mechanism that raises the snare assembly uniformly away from the bottom head, the system eliminates the requirement for external tuning aids like dowels or pencils. The operator can tune the snares directly in the disengaged position, and the linear motion mechanism ensures tension is maintained upon reengagement, significantly reducing tuning time and improving accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If the snare frame is pivotally rotated about the first shaft to lower the snares, then the snares can be moved from upper to lowered position, but the parallel orientation to the bottom head is not maintained throughout the movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the pivoting mechanical system with a linear translation mechanism. Instead of rotating the snare frame about a shaft, the strainer bar moves vertically in a straight line guided by the linkage mechanism. This mechanical substitution ensures that the snare frame and snares maintain constant parallel orientation to the bottom head throughout the entire range of motion, eliminating the angular deviation inherent in pivoting mechanisms while preserving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A snare drum having an improved throw off includes a strainer shaft and a strainer bar both extending through the interior of the drum shell. The strainer bar is linked to the strainer shaft, a snare assembly is connected to the strainer bar, and a handle rotates the strainer shaft which moves the strainer bar and snare assembly between an upper position in which the snares of the snare assembly are engaged with the bottom head of the drum, and lower position in which the snares are disengaged from the bottom head. The snares are in parallel relation to the bottom head of the drum throughout the range of movement between the upper and lower positions. In one embodiment, the drum comprises a wood laminate and the top and bottom shell caps comprise carbon fiber.