Snare Drum Throw-Off with Adjustable Tension and Pivot Block
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snare drum throw off systems lack the ability to support and adjust the throw off component within a drum, activate or inactivate it, and tension it for varying tone, which are essential features for enhanced musical performance.
Innovation Solution
A snare drum throw off system comprising a pivot block, minor and major cylinders with cam surfaces, a tension bolt, and a spring, allowing the pivot block to rotate between engaged and disengaged positions, and an adjustable tensioning mechanism using a knurled head bolt for adjusting the throw off component's tension and tone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional fixed throw off system is used, then the structure is simple, but the ability to activate/inactivate and adjust tension is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The throw-off system is divided into separate functional components: a pivot block for rotation, a major cylinder for positioning, a minor cylinder for tensioning, and a spring for biasing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling activation/inactivation and tension adjustment capabilities while keeping individual parts relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The minor cylinder is positioned within the major cylinder, creating a nested arrangement. The minor cylinder's cam surface interacts with the major cylinder's cam surface, allowing the tensioning mechanism to be integrated within the positioning mechanism. This nesting reduces overall structural complexity while maintaining both activation and tension adjustment functions.
2Reliability
If the pivot block is held firmly in position, then the snare engagement is stable, but the ability to rotate between engaged and disengaged positions is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot block is designed to be dynamically positionable rather than fixed. It can rotate between a disengaged position (where the snare is released) and an engaged position (where the snare contacts the drumhead). The spring provides a biasing force that ensures reliable engagement when activated, while the cam surfaces enable controlled rotation and positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-loaded to bias the pivot block toward the engaged position before activation. This preliminary action ensures that when the throw-off is activated, the pivot block is already positioned to make reliable contact with the drumhead, improving engagement stability while requiring minimal additional force for activation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the snare is constantly engaged with the drumhead, then the tone is consistent, but the ability to inactivate and vary musical expression is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The throw-off system enables periodic engagement and disengagement of the snare from the drumhead. The pivot block rotates between engaged and disengaged positions, allowing the drummer to create rhythmic patterns and musical expressions by alternately activating and inactivating the snare. This periodic action provides musical versatility while maintaining stable engagement during active playing periods.
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
Enables safe, convenient, and economical activation, inactivation, and adjustable tensioning of the snare drum throw off component, allowing for precise control over the snare's engagement with the drumhead, enhancing musical performance.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is held captive between the pivot block and the minor cylinder and biases the pivot block in a direction away from the minor cylinder and into the disengaged position
Implementation Method 2
A major cylinder has opposed first and second ends, a second longitudinal bore extending entirely through the major cylinder between the first and second ends thereof, and a second cam surface. A length of the major cylinder is disposed within the first longitudinal bore with the first and second cam surfaces in contact with each other, and such that the major cylinder is rotatable about a second axis between a first rotation position and a second rotation position and such that major cylinder slidable back-and-forth along the second axis between a first slide position and a second slide position
Implementation Method 3
A tension bolt has first and second ends, the tension bolt extends through the second axial bore with the first end thereof threadedly attached to the pivot block, the second end of the tension bolt has a head engaged against the second end of the major cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A snare drum throw off has handle that is rotatable between a positive engaged position and a positive disengaged position for engaging and disengaging a snare of a snare drum. The tension on the snare when in the positive engaged position is adjustable by a tensioner.