Lockable throw-off for snare drum

1. An adjusting throw-off device for use on a drum having a side wall and a head, comprising in combination:

a) a support body attachable to side wall of the drum,

b) a hand manipulable lever having pivotal attachment to the body,

c) a tensioning member operatively connectible to a strap that tensions release strands extending adjacent the drum head,

d) said member having operative guided relation with said body in tilting and in endwise extension and retraction modes, and operative connection with the lever to tension said strap and strands to captivate the lever when the lever is swung toward the support body, and to de-tension the strap and strands when the lever is swung away from the support body,

e) there being a link pivotally connected to the lever and to the tensioning member, and there being a dogleg cam guide for said pivotal connection of the lever to the member.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein:

f) said tensioning member is endwise adjustable to adjust strap and strand tension as the member is adjustably tilted, while the lever is swung over-center.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the member has a first portion guided for endwise sliding movement by a guide on said body, and a second portion that is link connected to the lever and in spaced relation to said pivotal attachment of the lever to said body.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein the tensioning member and the lever have pivoted connection with the support body.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein both the tensioning member and the lever have common pivotal connection with the support body, to tilt independently about the same axis.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the tensioning member has an elongated slot allowing the tensioning member to move endwise relative to said pivotal connection.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein there is a link pivotally connected to the lever and to said tensioning member at a location that is endwise spaced from said common pivotal connection.

8. An adjusting throw-off device for use on a drum having a side wall and a head, comprising in combination:

a) a support body attachable to side wall of the drum,

b) a hand manipulable lever having pivotal attachment to the body,

c) a tensioning member operatively connectible to a strap that tensions release strands extending adjacent the drum head,

d) said member having operative guided relation with said body in tilting and in endwise extension and retraction modes, and operative connection with the lever to tension said strap and strands to captivate the lever when the lever is swung toward the support body, and to de-tension the strap and strands when the lever is swung away from the support body,

e) and wherein both the tensioning member and the lever have common pivotal connection with the support body, to tilt independently about the same axis,

f) and wherein the tensioning member has an elongated slot allowing the tensioning member to move endwise relative to said pivotal connection,

g) and wherein there is a link pivotally connected to the lever and to said tensioning member at a location that is endwise spaced from said common pivotal connection,

h) and including a dogleg cam guide for said pivotal connection of the lever to the member.

9. The combination of claim 1 wherein the tensioning member has a threaded shank portion, there being a nut thread connected to said threaded shank portion, the nut located at a side of the lever, the nut rotatable to adjust the endwise positioning of the tensioning member.

10. The combination of claim 1 wherein the lever forms a cavity into which said tensioning member is receivable as the lever swings toward the support body.

11. The combination of claim 1 including said drum, said strap and said strands.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein the strands consist of metal wires.