IP Library Granted Patent US 8,609,967
Granted Patent B2
US 8,609,967 · App. 12/687,765 · Granted Dec 17, 2013

Top-tuning system for hand percussion instrument

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,609,967
App. No.
12/687,765
Granted
Dec 17, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed is a tuning system for tuning a hand percussion instrument having a head and a shell. The tuning system comprises a rim, the rim secured to the head of the instrument, the rim comprising at least one receptacle, the receptacle positioned at outer periphery of the rim such that the receptacle body is below the plane of the rim, a side plate assembly, the side plate assembly secured to the shell of the instrument, a tuning rod, the tuning rod having a first end secured to the receptacle for varying the tension on the head, and the tuning rod having a second end secured to the side plate assembly.

Claims (24)

1. A tuning system for tuning a hand percussion instrument having a head and a shell, the tuning system comprising:

a rim, the rim secured to the head of the instrument, the rim comprising circular opening and a plurality of receptacles;

the receptacles integrally formed at an outer periphery of the rim and extending below the curcular opening, the receptacles having a side member, the side member being curved and projecting outward and downward below the circular opening, the receptacles having a horizontal member joined to the side member such that the horizontal member is held in a plane that is substantially parallel to the circular opening, the horizontal member comprising an opening;

a side plate assembly, the side plate assembly secured to the shell of the instrument;

a tuning rod, the tuning rod having a first end received by the opening such that the first end is held below the circular opening, the first end being accessible to a user for varying tension on the head; and

the tuning rod having a second end received by the side plate assembly wherein the hand percussion instrument is one of a conga drum, djembe or bongo drum.

2. The tuning system of claim 1 , wherein the side plate assembly comprises:

a base plate, the base plate having a receiving member that extends substantially perpendicular to the shell; and

a nut, the nut receiving the second end of the tuning rod to secure the tuning rod to the receiving member.

3. The tuning system of claim 2 , wherein the nut is movable within the receiving member so that the tuning rod may align vertically while secured to the receptacle and the receiving member.

4. The tuning system of claim 1 , wherein the tuning rod is substantially straight.

5. The tuning system of claim 1 , wherein the receptacles have a first side member and a second side member, the first and second side members being substantially parallel to each other.

6. A tuning system for tuning a hand percussion instrument having a head and a shell, the tuning system comprising:

a rim, the rim secured to the head of the instrument, the rim comprising circular opening and a plurality of receptacles;

the receptacles integrally formed at an outer periphery of the rim and extending below the circular opening, the receptacles having a vertical member, a horizontal member, and side member, the side member having a curved edge that projects outward and downward below the circular opening, the horizontal member joined to the side member such that the horizontal member is held in a plane that is substantially parallel to the circular opening, the horizontal member comprising an opening;

a side plate assembly, the side plate assembly secured to the shell of the instrument;

a tuning rod, the tuning rod having a first end received by the opening such that the first end is held below the circular opening, the first end being accessible to a user for varying tension on the head; and

the tuning rod having a second end received by the side plate assembly wherein the hand percussion instrument is one of a conga drum, djembe or bongo drum.

7. The tuning system of claim 6 , wherein the side plate assembly comprises:

a base plate, the base plate having a receiving member that extends substantially perpendicular to the shell; and

a nut, the nut receiving the second end of the tuning rod to secure the tuning rod to the receiving member.

8. The tuning system of claim 7 , wherein the nut is movable within the receiving member so that the tuning rod may align vertically while secured to the receptacle and the receiving member.

9. The tuning system of claim 6 , wherein the tuning rod is substantially straight.

10. The tuning system of claim 6 , wherein the receptacles have a first side member and a second side member, the first and second side members being substantially parallel to each other.

Assignments (15)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 5, 2017
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: DRUM WORKSHOP, INC.
Reel/Frame 042409/0038 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 7, 2017
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION; ROKR DISTRIBUTION US, INC. (FORMERLY KMC MUSIC, INC.)
Reel/Frame 041651/0785 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 7, 2017
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION; KMC MUSIC, INC. (F/K/A KAMAN MUSIC CORPORATION)
Reel/Frame 041649/0926 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 2, 2016
From: DRUM WORKSHOP, INC.
To: OPUS BANK
Reel/Frame 038589/0666 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 26, 2016
From: ENDEAVOUR STRUCTURED EQUITY AND MEZZANINE FUND I, L.P.
To: DRUM WORKSHOP, INC.
Reel/Frame 038527/0968 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 2, 2015
From: DRUM WORKSHOP, INC. (AS GRANTOR)
To: ENDEAVOUR STRUCTURED EQUITY AND MEZZANINE FUND I, L.P. (AS LEAD PURCHASER)
Reel/Frame 037195/0605 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 11, 2015
From: DRUM WORKSHOP, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 035187/0365 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE PATENT NO. 29/472209 AND REPLACE PATENT NO. 29/473209 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 034826 FRAME 0489. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jan 30, 2015
From: KMC MUSIC, INC.
To: DRUM WORKSHOP, INC.
Reel/Frame 034862/0131 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT NO. 6092129 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 034810 FRAME: 0376. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jan 27, 2015
From: KMC MUSIC, INC.
To: DRUM WORKSHOP, INC.
Reel/Frame 034826/0489 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 26, 2015
From: KMC MUSIC, INC.
To: DRUM WORKSHOP, INC.
Reel/Frame 034810/0376 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 6, 2015
From: JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: KMC MUSIC, INC. (F/K/A) KAMAN MUSIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 034730/0045 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 6, 2015
From: JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: KMC MUSIC, INC. (F/K/A KAMAN MUSIC CORPORATION)
Reel/Frame 034728/0466 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 22, 2013
From: KMC MUSIC, INC. (F/K/A KAMAN MUSIC CORPORATION)
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 030486/0270 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 17, 2013
From: KMC MUSIC, INC. (F/K/A KAMAN MUSIC CORPORATION)
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 030441/0630 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 31, 2011
From: SIMONS, RICHARD, MR.; ENHOFFER, RAY, MR.; CHANDONTRIKIT, CHATCHAI, MR.; KROL, ANDRZEJ, MR.
To: KMC MUSIC, INC.
Reel/Frame 026364/0967 →