CA1057985A - Percussive instrument and accessory support - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An adjustable support for percussive instruments, such as cymbals and other small percussion devices, is formed of two parts that are easily and rigidly connected together and readily detached, always maintaining the same orientation and position when interconnected. One connector part is a C-shaped clamp that is axially and longitudinally adjusted to a support tube for an accessory and fixedly locked in an adjusted position. The other connector part is fixed to a supporting structure and snugly and slidably receives the clamp. The two parts are configured to interfit and interlock in a non-rotational relation. Withdrawal of the clamp part from the other connector part is restrained by a clamp screw.

Description

10579~5i Various percussive instruments are commonly employed and played by one musician in the course of a performance. Such instruments, including cymbals, traps and the like, are desirably grouped together, often supported from a common stand or from a main percussive instrument, and arranged in a predetermined pattern so that they may be readily played individually or col-lectively by the one musician. Because of the size and bulk of the percussi-ve instruments and accessories, they are almost invariably handled and trans-ported individually, rather than in any pre-established set up or in any group of interconnected instruments. Further, different performances may require different instruments or different groupings of instruments and accessories.
Accordingly, it is common practice to provide a drum and accessory mounting hardware to interconnect the instruments and accessories in attachable and readily detachable relation. Thus, an ensemble of instruments and accessories may be transported as individual pieces to the location of a given performance and then the instruments are interconnected in the desired relative location and relative orientation. Such relative location and orientation are signi-ficant factors in a performance and each musician will carefully arrange his instrumental setup to ensure that the various instruments are properly posi-tioned and presented at the desired playing angle. Having completed the performance, the instruments are disconnected, trasported and then reconnected before a subsequent performance.
Generally, when employing interconnecting hardware previously avai-lable, the positions and orientations of the instruments and accessories must be readjusted by the musician each time that the instruments are reconnected.
Further, even though the instruments must be readily connected and reconnected, they are subject to severe disturbing forces during a performance because of - their percussive nature. Impact and large amplitude vibrations tend to loosen, weaken and damage connecting hardware. Partly for this reason, previously available devices suitable for such percussive instrument and accessory sup-port and connection have been expensive and difficult and time consuming to 5798') adjust. Typical of such interconnecting hardware are the arrangements shown in United States Patent 3,704,645 to Grauso et al, 2,524,518 to D'Arcy and 3,561,716 to Thompson. The arrangements illustrated in these patents all fail to enable ready and simple connection and disconnection without readjustment of relative positions. Further, the devices of the prior art are either in-capable of maintaining a preselected adjustment with ade~uate reliability in the course of forces applied during a normal performance, or are so complex as to be undesirably costly and difficult to adjust.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide connecting hardware for percussive musical instruments and accessories which avoids or substantially eliminates the above-mentioned difficulties.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided connector hardware for percussive musical instruments, accessories, and components, comprising: (a) an elongated member, and (b) means to create a desired axial and rotational adjustment of such elongated member about its own axis relative to another member, said means (b) being disassemblable and reassemblable relative to such other member without changing the adjustment, said means (b) being such that the adjustment may be changed at any time, the hardware including a clamp movable to various axial and rotational positions on the elongated member and adapted to be clamped at any desired position on said elongated member, and an element which only mates with the clamp or a part of the clamp or something connected to the clamp when the elongated member and the other member are in predetermined rotational posi-tions.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided connector hardware for connecting together two elements in the class consist-ing of percussive musical instruments and accessories and components thereof, comprising: (a) an elongated member adapted to be connected to one of said two elements, (b) a clamp adapted to be clamped to said elongated member at various rotationally adjusted positions thereon, and (c) a second member - adapted to be connected to the other of said two elements and adapted to be associated with said clamp in a fixed rotational relationship therewith, said

-2-clamp and said second member being so constructed that said fixed rotational relationship is predetermined by adjustment and clamping of said clamp on said elongated member.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is pro- -vided apparatus for use in supporting percussion musical instruments and accessories therefor, said accessories and instruments having first and second members that are adapted to be detachably connected together in adjusted relative positions and thereafter detached and re-attached without disturbing the adjusted relative positions upon such re-attachment, said apparatus com-prisi~g a first connector part including means for fixedly connecting said part to said first member in a selected position of relative adjustment of said first part and first member, a second connector part adapted to be con-nected to said second member, one of said connector parts having a surface portion of a non-circular configuration and the other of said connector parts having a facing surface portion of a non-circular configuration, said other connector part being adapted to slidably receive said facing surface portion of said one connector part in a snug, interfitting non-rotational relation, and means for restraining withdrawal of said one connector part from said : other connector part. :
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 illustrates percussive instruments detachably connected in a predetermined adjusted position and orientation by means of hardware em-bodying principles of the present invention;

. ix -2a-10579~5 Figure 2 is a section taken on lines 2-2 of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a section taken on lines 3-3 of Figurc 2;
Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the connecting hardware shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3;
Figure 5 illustrates a percussive accessory in the form of a stool embodying members connected by a modified form of the hardware illustrated in Figures 1 through 4;
Figure 6 is a section taken on lines 6-6 of Figure 5;
and Figure 7 is a perspective view of one of the parts of the connector of Figures 5 and 6.
Illustrated in Figure 1 is a pair of percussive instruments that is exemplary of but a single one of many different types and groups of percussive instrument and accessory combinations which may be interconnected by means of hardware embodying principles of the present invention. A larger instrument, such as a drum 10 having a shell 14, is supported on the floor by a plurality of legs, such as leg 12, other identical supporting legs (not shown) being similarly attached to the shell of the drum. A second smaller drum or other accessory, depicted at 18, is connected in an adjustable manner, both in posi-tion and angle, to the shell 14 of the main instrument 10 by hardware includ- -ing an adjustably angulated pair of support rods or tubes 20, 22 interconnected by a fitting 24.
Detachable connecting hardware 26, 28 embodying principles of the present invention is provided to detachably connect the tubes 20, 22 to the drums 10, 18 respectively. Rods 20 and 22 are fixedly connected to each other in a selected position of angular adjustment (about an axis extending normal to the axes of both rods and thruugh the intersection of the rod axes) by means of discs 30, 32 fixed to the tubes 20, 22, respectively, and having in-terengaging serrated faces that are clamped to each other by means of a thumb screw 34.

105798'~

Connector 26 is a typical embodiment of principles of the present invention and is more specifically illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4 as compri-sing first and second connector parts 36, 38 that are constructed and arranged to be slidably interconnected in an interlocking relation that prevents rela-tive translation motion along each of two mutually angulated axes and that prevents relative rotational motion about each of three mutually angulated axes. Relative translational motion along the third of a group of three axes is restrained by a clamping screw 40 that forms part of connector part 38.
The parts are preferably formed of a strong metal~ cast or otherwise formed in the disclosed configuration. Integral cast alluminum parts are preferred.
The connector parts 36, 38 are adapted to be secured and rigidly connected to structural members such as the tube 20 that supports tube 22 and the accessory drum 18, and the shell 14 ~Figure 2) of the primary drum 10. The second connector part 38 may also have a fixed connection with a tube 42 fixed to the primary drum 10 and extending su~stantially vertically there-through.
Connector part 36 comprises a substantially tubular C-shaped clamp i having a main circular body portion 44 terminating a pair of mutually spaced, ; juxtaposed and radially extending clamp lugs 46, 48 formed integrally with , 20 the body section 44. Also integrally formed with the body section 44, pro-jecting radially outwardly therefrom and diametrically opposed to the radially projecting clamp lugs 46, 48, is a key 50. Key 50 is formed with an out-wardly facing, longitudinally extending groove 51 for reception of the end of clamping screw 40. This interengagement of the screw 40 and groove 51 not only restrains withdrawal of the connector part 36 but also restrains relative rotation of the connector parts about the axis of body portion 44.
A clamp screw assembly 52 includes a carriage bolt 54 having a head 56 that bears upon an outer surface of lug 46. The bolt extends non-, rotatably through apertures in both lugs 46, 58 and is threaded into the shank 58 of a wing nut 61. A washer 60 is interposed between the end of shank ,' .

~057985 58 and an outer surface of lug 48. Turning wing nut 61 causes the lugs 46,48 to be drawn toward each other and locked about the member 20 that extends through the tubular body section 44.
The second connector part 38 comprises a receiver having a body section defining a bottom wall 62 and a pair of fixed diametrically opposed upstanding side walls 64, 66. The side walls are interconnected by an inter-mediate receiver body section 68 in which is formed a keyway 70. An aperture 72 extends through the bottom wall 62 of the receiver and through a tubular depending section 74 of the receiver body to slidably receive a portion of the tubular support 20 fixed in and extending beyond and through connector clamp part 36. Lower tubular section 74 is recessed as at 76 ~Figure 2~ to receive the upper end of tube 42, the latter having an inside diameter large enough to allow the supporting tube 20 of the accessory drum to extend through the connector clamp 36 and through the connector receiver 38 into the tube 42.
The receiver, like the clamp part, is preferably formed as an integral cast aluminum unit.
A projecting body section 78 is formed as an integral part of the receiver and projects outwardly in opposition to the intermediate section 68 with the aperture 72 interposed therebetween. Securing means such as bolts 80, 82 (Figure 2) extend through the drum shell 14 into threaded engagement with the receiver body at the intermediate section 68 on one side of the aper-ture 72 and at an end of the projecting section ~8 on the other side of the aperture 72. If deemed necessary or desirable, the upper free end of tube 42 ; is serrated as at 84 ~Figure 4) to cooperate with the inner surface of tubular section 74 (which may be either smooth or serrated to mate with serrations 84) so as to enhance the securement of the connector receiver 38 to the drum.
Connector receiver 38 is fixedly attached to the drum shell 14 and is normally left in place in its position of rigid securement to the ~rum. If deemed necessary or desirable, one or more additional connector receivers identical to connector receiver 38 may also be attached at different points of "

the drum shell 14 for reception and support of the same or other accessories that are furnished with the mating connector clamp part. Further, identical receivers may be fixed to the drum to detachably connect drum supporting legs, as described hereinafter.
Connector clamp part 36 is slidably adjusted along the length of support tube 20 until a desired position of relative axial adjustment is ob-tained. The clamp part is also rotated about the axis of the tube until a de-sired position of relative rotational adjustment is obtained. Thereupon clamp screw assembly 52 is tightened to draw lugs 46 and 48 toward each other and rigidly, securely and permanently (as long as wing-nut 61 is tight) fix the connector clamp 36 to the support tube 20, with the latter projecting through the aperture in the tubular clamp section and extending downwardly therethrough.
The two connector parts 36 and 38, each attached to an instrument or other part of the percussive ensemble that is to be interconnected, are then simply interfitted by sliding the clamp connector 36 down into the recess defined within the connector receiver 38. For the initial adjustment of posi-tion and orientation, the clamp part may be relatively loosely secured to tube 20. The clamp part is then inserted into the receiver part and a final adjust-ment of tube 20 ~together with the instrument or accessory carried thereby) is made. Then the wing nut 61 is tightened in this finally adjusted position.
Alternatively, the connector clamp 36 may be first interfitted to and within the connector rec~iver 36 and locked thereto by tightening clamp screw of 40. Then the support shaft 20 may be inserted into and through the coaxial apertures in the clamp body section 44 and the receiver of body sec-tion. Tubular support 20 is then moved axially up and down (in the illustra-tion of Figure 1} and rotated until the accessory instrument 18 is properly adjusted in position and orientation, whereupon clamp screw 52 is tightened to cause the connector clamp 36 to be rigidly fixed to the tubular support 20.
By moving the support tube 20 axially and rotatably relative to and within the connector clamp 36 the accessory carried by the tubular support 20 is adjusted 10579~i in position and orientation with respect to the primary support or drum 10 until it attains a desired position and orientation. It will remain in such position and orientation as long as the connector clamp 44 is tight upon the encircled support tube 20 and the connector clamp is slidably received within the recess of the connector receiver.
The connector clamp is formed with a circular body section that defines an aperture substantially snugly receiving cylindrical support tube 20. Nevertheless it has an external surface of a non-circular configuration.
Such non-circular configuration includes the circular portion of the body section 44 and also includes the radially oppositely disposed projecting key 50 (with its groove 51) and clamp lugs 46, 48. Connector receiver 38 inclu-des side walls 64, 66 and intermediate sanction 68 that define an inwardly facing surface of non-circular configuration that precisely mates with the non-circular surface configuration of the connector clamp 36 (except for the groove 51). Thus the clamp 36 is slidably and snugly received in an inter-locking non-rotational relation within the recess of the clamp receiver 38, even in the absence of clamp screw 40.
The ends 65, 67 of the side walls 64, 66 (that project to the right as viewed in Figure 3) are mutually spaced to receive the radially outwardly projecting clamp lugs 46, 48 and further cooperate with these lugs to limit relative rotation of the clamp 36 and receiver 38. Nevertheless, the closer fit of key 50 within keyway 70 comprises a significant restraint on relative rotation of clamp 36 and receiver 38. The fit of screw 40 with groove 51 affords a third restraint upon such relative rotation.
It will be readily appreciated that key 50 and keyway 70 may be interchanged, that is the key may be formed as an inwardly directed projection of the receiver 38, projecting in to the recess defined therein and coopera-ting with an outwardly facing keyway formed in an outer surface of the con-nector clamp 36.
Further, instead of employing the relatively simple circular body 1~579~5 section 44 and interfitting key and keyway means 50, 70, for preventing rela- -tive rotation of the clamp parts, the present invention contemplates forming the exterior of the connector clamp in other forms of non-circular configura-tion, such as polygonal, eliptical and the like and, concomittantly forming the inwardly facing surface of the recess of connector receiver 38 with a congruent non-circular configuration to snugly and slidably receive the con-nector clamp in non-rotational interlocking engagement. Nevertheless, although other non-circular external clamp part configurations may be employed, it is found that the clamping action (e.g. the gripping of tube 20 by clamp part 36) is condiderably enhanced by forming as much of the body section 44 as possible with a uniform thickness, as measured radially. If the body thickness is uni-form the body will bend more uniformly under the pressure of the clamp screw assembly 52, and thereby firmly grip the circumscribed tube 20 about a greater area of its circumference.
It is also contemplated that means other than the clamp screw 40 such as locks, detents or retractable pin and aperture arrangements may be em-ployed to restrain slidable withdrawal of the connector clamp 36 from the re-cess of the connector receiver 38. -~
Outwardly projecting body section 78 of clamp receiver 38 provides a relatively widely spaced base for the two screws 80, 82, thereby providing a more stable, rigid and firmly secured attachment of the connector receiver to the drum shell 14. In addition, the upper surface of section 78 ~as viewed in Figure 4) provides an esthetic appearance and affords space for display of an esthetically attractive design or mark. The interengagement of the fixed drum tube 42 with the recess of the do~nwardly projecting end of clamp recei-ver section 74 further enhances the rigidity and securement of attachment of the clamp receiver to the drum.
Once the parts are interfitted and interconnected as illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, support tubs 20 and the accessories or instruments car-ried thereby are firmly and securely attached to and supported by the primary l~S7985 drum 10. Yet the parts are quickly and readily attached to and detached from one another without in any way disturbing the relative adjuscment of position and orientation of the accessories with respect to the primary instrument or support. Thus, to disconnect the parts, it is merely necessary to loosen clamp screw 40 and slidably remove the connector clamp 36 from its engagement with the connector receiver 38, carrying the accessory 18 together with the interconnecting support tubes 20, 22 therewith. The entire accessory assembly including elements 18, 20 and 22, is detached as a unit merely by loosening the clamp screw 40. In addition, accessory drum 18 is similarly detached from and attached to tube 22 by the substantially identical connecter hardward 28.
Conversely, to re-attach the accessory assembly 18, 20 and 22 in the very same pre-selected position of adjustment and orientation, it is merely necessary to slidably insert the connector clamp 36 into the recess of connector receiver 38, into which it can fit in only a single position of translational and ro-titional relation, and thereupon to retighten the clamp screw 40 to prevent inadvertent withdrawal. The described connector parts may be considered to have a "memory" that stores a selected position and orientation.
Although a close fit of the tubular support 20 to and within the receiver section 74 and primary instrument tube 42 will enhance the rigidity of the interconnection, it is clear that this interengagement of tube 20 and the connector receiver or any part thereof is not necessary for attainment of the rigid detachable and readily reconnectable connection of the present inven-- tion. In fact, the connector clamp part 36 may be adapted for use with tubu-lar supports of smaller diameter than the diameter of receiver section 74 or the inside diameter of tube 42, merely by providing the clamp part 36 with a smaller inside diameter. By its very nature the C-shaped connector clamp part 36 adjusts itself to a relatively wide tolerance of outside diameters of sup-porting tube 20 and may be readily clamped on such tubes even through they are of somewhat smaller outside diameter than that illustrated. The rigid, secure and fixedly positioned and oriented interconnection of the two clamp parts is ~OS7985 achieved without depending upon the interfit of tubular support 20 and tube 42. It is accomplished by means of the interfitting and interlocking relation of the connector clamp and connector receiver. This interfitting relation in and of itself provides a firm and secure restraint against all relative rota-tional motion of the connector parts about any axis, and against translational motion in all directions except that direction extending axially of the tubular support 20. Restraint against relative motion in such direction and additional restraint against relative rotation, are provided by clamp screw 40 and groove 51.
10The connector parts of Figures 2, 3 and 4 are readily adapted for connecting a tubular support to other types of structures merely by modifying the connector receiver structure for fixed and relatively permanent connection to one of the members to be connected. Thus, for the detachable connector hardware 28 illustrated in Figure 1 that connects the accessory drum 18 with ,- the support tube therefor, there is provided a connector clamp part 36a that is identical in all respects to clamp part 36 of Figures 2, 3 and 4. Clamp part 36a will interfit with a connector receiver part 38a having identical recess and keyway configuration for an interlocking snug and sliding fit with the connector clamp part just as described in connection with the con-20 nector parts of Figures 2, 3 and 4. However, in this receiver part, the depending section 74 of Figure 2 may be omitted, if deemed necessary or desi-rable, and connection to the shell of accessory drum 18 achieved solely by use of screws corresponding to those indicated at 80, 82 of Figure 2. Similarly, the connector hardware 16 supporting each of the several legs 12 ~of which only one is illustrated) of the primary drum 10 may include a connector clamp part identical to clamp part 36 and a connector receiver part which may be identical to receiver part 38 of Figures 2, 3 and 4. Depending section 74 may be omitted from any of the receiver parts. Other configurations, structures and arrangements for connecting the connector receiver par~ 38 to the member 30 that is to be used for support of the coupling may be employed as will be :

lQ5798t~

readily known to those skilled in the art.
An example of modified connector hardware in which the connector re-ceiver part is arranged for connection to the upright post of a foldable stand t or multi-legged support is illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7 in which a fold-able stand for a stool or the like includes a pedestal having a central tubu-lar standard 90 supported by a plurality of foldable legs 92, 94, 96 connected in a conventional manner to the standard 9o. In this arrangement, the connec-tor receiver part 38b ~Figure 7) includes a relatively short depending tubular section 74b having an internal aperture that fixedly receives an upper end of the pedestal standard 90. Conveniently depending tubular section 74b of the connector receiver part is rigidly connected to standard 90 as by welding, rivets, bolts or the like. Remaining portions of the connector receiver part 38b, including the sections defining the recess that interfits and interlocks with the connector clamp part 36b, are identical to corresponding parts pre-viously described. In this arrangement, however, the outwardly projecting connector receiver section 78 is omitted and the clamp part lugs 46b, 48b project between the sidewalls 64b, 66b that cooperate with the intermediate clamp receiver section 68b, having keyway 70b formed therein, to snugly and slidably receive the connector clzmp part.
The connector clamp part is identical to that previously described and is clamped in a selected position of adjustment to a lower portion of a tubular support 20b that carries at its upper end a seat or other instrument accessory ~8. The connector receiver part 38b is permanently and fixedly con-nected to the upper end of the pedestal standard 90 and the connector clamp part 36b is fixedly connected to the tubular s~pport 20b in a desired position of adjustment. The tubular support 20b, together with a seat 98 carried there-by, is readily attached to and detached from the s~andard 90 in the manner previously described. This is achieved by merely slidably inserting the connector clamp part 36b into the recess formed in receiver part 38b the ~u-bular support 20a extending into slidable engagement to and within the inte-lOS7985 rior of hollow standard 90. The lower surface of the connector clamp part seats directly upon the bottom wall of the recess formed in the receiver clamp part 38b just as in the previously described embodiments and the clamp screw 40b is then rotated in its threaded engagement in receiver part 38b un-til its end bears firmly upon the gr~ove 51b of projecting key 50b of the con-nector clamp part.
It will be understood that the connector receiver parts may be permanently or semi-permanently secured to various instruments and accessories so that these may be interconnected in detachable and precisely repeatable positions of relative adjustment by means of angulated tubing assemblies such as the assembly 20, 22, 24 of Figure 1, such tubing assemblies having adjust-ably secured thereto at each free end of the assembly, a connector clamp part of the type described herein. Obviously, the number and variety of intercon-nected arrangements of accessories and primary instruments or supports is limited only by available space and the strength of the supporting structure.
There have been described clamping structures for detachable and repeatably interconnecting parts of percussive instruments and accessories in precisely desired positions of relative adjustment that enable quick and ready attachment and detachment of the parts in a substantially unlimited variety of adjusted positions and which provide a firm, reli~ble and rigid connection in the desired position.
The foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of this invention being limited solely by the appended claims.
What is claimed is:

Claims (32)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Apparatus for use in supporting percussion musical instruments and accessories therefor, said accessories and instruments having first and second members that are adapted to be detachably connected together in ad-justed relative positions and thereafter detached and re-attached without disturbing the adjusted relative positions upon such re-attachment, said apparatus comprising a first connector part including means for fixedly connecting said part to said first member in a selected position of relative adjustment of said first part and first member, a second connector part adapt-ed to be connected to said second member, one of said connector parts having a surface portion of a non-circular configuration and the other of said connector parts having a facing surface portion of a non-circular configura-tion, said other connector part being adapted to slidably receive said facing surface portion of said one connector part in a snug, interfitting non-rota-tional relation, and means for restraining withdrawal of said one connector part from said other connector part.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first connector part comprises a substantially C-shaped clamping element at least partially circumscribing a portion of said first member, said clamping element including a non-circular external surface portion that forms and defines said facing surface portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said other connector part comprises a receiver element having a recess formed therein, said recess having dimen-sions and configuration adapted to snugly and slidably receive at least a portion of said clamping element.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said clamping element includes a circular main body portion of substantially uniform thickness, having an aperture extending therethrough adapted to adjustably receive said first mem-ber, having a pair of outwardly projecting juxtaposed clamp lugs, and having an outwardly projecting key, said clamping element including means for for-cibly drawing said clamp lugs together to distort the clamping element main body portion into clamping engagement about a member extending through the aperture thereof.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said recess of said other connec-tor part includes an outwardly projecting recess section adapted to receive said outwardly projecting key of said clamping element, and said recess inclu-ding a discontinuous section for receiving said juxtaposed clamping lugs.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said key is formed with a longi-tudinally extending groove and wherein said means for restraining withdrawal comprise a manually operable clamp screw threaded through said receiver ele-ment into engagement with said groove of said key.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first member comprises an elongated element of cylindrical configuration and wherein said first connec-tor part comprises a clamp having a clamping body portion substantially cir-cumscribing said elongated element, said clamp including a pair of mutually spaced juxtaposed, radially projecting clamp lugs, and screw means for drawing said clamp lugs toward each other to clamp said element within said body portion of the clamping element.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said second connector part compri-ses a connector body having a clamp receiving recess formed with a bottom wall and first and second oppositely disposed side walls fixed to and up-standing from said bottom wall, said side walls having a configuration that mates with the configuration of the body portion of said clamp, said upstan-ding oppositely disposed side wall portions being mutually spaced to allow a portion of said clamp including at least said clamp lugs to project there-from, and inter-engaging key and keyway means formed on said connectors for resisting relative rotation thereof.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said clamp includes a key fixed to said clamping body portion and spaced along the periphery thereof from said pair of clamp lugs.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said key, said clamping body por-tion, and said lugs are formed integrally with one another.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first connector part includes a C-shaped body portion substantially encircling said first member and having a pair of outwardly projecting clamp lugs, means for drawing the lugs toge-ther to clamp said body portion to said first member, a key fixed to and projecting from said body portion and spaced along the periphery thereof from said outwardly projecting clamping lugs, said other connector part including upstanding wall means defining a recess adapted to snugly and slidably receive said body portion and said key.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said means for preventing with-drawal of said first connector part from said second connector part comprises a locking element threaded in one of said connector parts and adapted to bear against the other of said connector parts.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said other connector part inclu-des an outwardly projecting body section, said other connector part being formed with an aperture extending therethrough for slidably adjustable recep-tion of said first member, said aperture being interposed between said out-wardly projecting body section and a portion of said recess that receives said key, and means on said outwardly extending body section for connecting said other connector part to said second member.

14. Apparatus for use in supporting and connecting percussion musical instruments and accessories therefor, said apparatus comprising first and second members adapted to be detachably connected together in rigid, repeatable relatively adjusted positions, one of said members comprising an elongated support of cylindrical external configuration, a clamp connected to said elongated cylindrical support for axial and rotatable adjustment relative thereto, said clamp comprising a tubular clamp body at least partially circum-scribing said elongated cylindrical support, said clamp body including a pair of mutually spaced juxtaposed clamp lugs, and a clamp screw interconnecting said clamp lugs, a clamp receiver comprising a receiver body having an aper-ture extending therethrough adapted to receive said elongated cylindrical sup-port, said receiver body including means for defining an outwardly opening recess therein, said recess defining means including a recess bottom wall and a pair of mutually spaced side walls upstanding from said bottom wall and disposed about said receiver body aperture, said upstanding side walls and said bottom wall collectively defining a recess configuration that snugly and slidably receives said clamp with an end of said tubular clamp body in contiguity with said recess bottom wall and said upstanding side walls in snug engagement with said tubular clamp body, and interfitting means on said tubular clamp body and on said receiver body for restraining relative rotation of said clamp and receiver body.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said means for restraining rela-tive rotation comprises slidably engageable keying means formed on said clamp and receiver.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said means for restraining rela-tive rotation comprises a key formed on said clamp and spaced about the peri-phery thereof from said clamp lugs, and a mating keyway formed in said recei-ver body for receiving said key.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said key is formed with an out-wardly facing longitudinal groove and wherein said apparatus includes a locking element threadedly engaged in said receiver body and having an end portion adapted to be pressed against said groove of said key.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said clamp receiver comprises a tubular body slidably receiving said elongated cylindrical support with said clamp connected thereto, said tubular body including means for connection to said second member.

19. A method of detachably connecting and reconnecting in rigid repeat-able, relatively adjusted positions, first and second units of an ensemble of percussive instruments and accessories therefor, said method comprising the steps of fixedly securing to said first unit a connector receiver part having a non-circular recess therein, securing to said second unit a connector clamp part in relatively loosely adjusted position and orientation with respect to the second unit, slidably inserting the clamp part together with the second unit secured thereto into interlocking non-rotational engagement with the recess of said connector receiver part, adjusting the position and orientation of said second unit with respect to said connector clamp part to achieve a desired position and orientation of said second unit with respect to said first unit, fixedly securing said connector clamp part to said second unit, and thereafter disconnecting and reconnecting said first and second units merely by removing from and inserting into said connector receiver part re-cess the previously adjusted assembly of the second unit and the connector clamp part.

20. The method of claim 19 including the step of additionally inter-connecting said receiver clamp part and said connector clamp part by means of a threaded clamp screw.

21. Connector hardware for percussive musical instruments, accessories, and components, comprising: (a) an elongated member, and (b) means to create a desired axial and rotational adjustment of such elongated member about its own axis relative to another member, said means (b) being disassemblable and reassemblable relative to such other member without changing the adjust-ment, said means (b) being such that the adjustment may be changed at any time, the hardware including a clamp movable to various axial and rotational positions on the elongated member and adapted to be clamped at any desired position on said elongated member, and an element which only mates with the clamp or a part of the clamp or something connected to the clamp when the elongated member and the other member are in predetermined rotational positions.

22. Apparatus for supporting and positioning drums and other percussive musical instruments and musical instrument accessories, said apparatus com-prising: (a) an elongated support member, (b) a generally C-shaped clamp extending around said support member, said clamp being adapted to be clamped exteriorly on said support member at desired axial positions therealong, and at desired rotational positions about the axis thereof, (c) a receiver adapted to seat said clamp, said receiver having an open portion which re-ceives said support member when said clamp is in seated position, said receiver and said clamp having cooperating locating portions causing said clamp to be and remain in a predetermined rotated position relative to said receiver when said clamp is seated on said receiver, and (d) elongated threaded fastener means threadedly associated with said receiver, said threaded fastener means being disposed in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of said support member when said support member is received in said receiver, said threaded fastener means being disposed adjacent said clamp when said clamp is seated on said receiver, said threaded fastener means being adapted when tightened to effect shifting of said support member laterally against a portion of said receiver to thus inhibit longitudinal movement of said support member relative to said receiver, whereby said clamp, said receiver and said threaded fastener means are provided in compact relationship and are operable when said clamp and threaded fastener means are tightened, to prevent both longitudinal and rotational shifting of said support member, said threaded fastener means being operable when loosened to permit withdrawal of said support member, together with said clamp, from adjacent said receiver whereby the same desired rotational and axial position of said support member may be quickly achieved upon subsequent repositioning of said support member and clamp adjacent said receiver, said clamp when loosened being adapted to be shifted to different axial and rotational positions on said support member and tightened thereat, thus achieving different axial and rotational positions of said support member upon subsequent positioning of said support member and clamp adjacent said receiver.

23. The invention as claimed in claim 22, in which said apparatus is combined with at least one percussive musical drum, said receiver being mounted on the shell of said drum.

24. The invention as claimed in claim 22, in which said receiver is mounted on a tube means, in spaced relationship from any drum.

25. The invention as claimed in claim 22, in which said support member is a tube of circular section, in which an element is shifted by said threaded fastener means, forcibly against said support member, when said threaded fastener means is tightened, said element having a surface conforming to a large part of the exterior of said tube to thus increase the frictional forces resulting from tightening of said threaded fastener means.

26. The invention as claimed in claim 25, in which said element which is shifted by said threaded fastener means is said clamp.

27. The invention as claimed in claim 22, in which said threaded fastener means is radially adjacent said clamp, and extends radially of said support member, when said clamp is seated on said receiver.

28. The invention as claimed in claim 27, in which said cooperating locating portions comprise a recess in one of said clamp and receiver elements, and a protuberance on the other of said elements and shaped to be received in said recess, so that said clamp may be seated on said receiver only when in a single rotated position relative thereto.

29. The invention as claimed in claim 28, in which said cooperating locating portions comprise a protuberance on said clamp, and a recess in said receiver, said clamp being a casting having said protuberance formed integrally thereon.

30. Apparatus for supporting and positioning drums and other percussive musical instruments and musical instrument accessories, said apparatus comprising: (a) an elongated support member, (b) a generally C-shaped clamp extending around said support member, said clamp being adapted to be clamped exteriorly on said support member at desired axial positions therealong, and at desired rotational positions about the axis thereof, (c) a clamp connector adapted to seat said clamp, said clamp connector having an open portion which receives said support member when said clamp is in seated position, said clamp connector and said clamp having cooperating locating portions causing said clamp to be and remain in a predetermined rotated position relative to said clamp connector when said clamp is seated on said clamp connector, and (d) elongated threaded fastener means threadedly associated with at least one of said clamp connector and clamp, said threaded fastener means being disposed in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of said support member when said support member is received in said clamp connector, said threaded fastener means being disposed adjacent both said clamp and clamp connector when said clamp is seated on said clamp connector, said threaded fastener means being adapted when tightened to inhibit longitudi-nal movement of said support member relative to said clamp connector, whereby said clamp, said clamp connector and said threaded fastener means are provided in compact relationship and are operable to prevent both longitudinal and rotational shifting of said support member relative to said clamp connector, said threaded fastener means being operable when loosened to permit withdrawal of said support member, together with said clamp, from adjacent said clamp connector whereby the same desired rotational and axial position of said support member may be quickly achieved upon subsequent repositioning of said support member and clamp adjacent said clamp connector, said clamp when loosened being adapted to be shifted to different axial and rotational positions on said support member and tightened thereat, thus achieving different axial and rotational positions of said support member upon subsequent positioning of said support member and clamp to said clamp connector.

31. Connector hardware for connecting together two elements in the class consisting of percussive musical instruments and accessories and components thereof, comprising: (a) an elongated member adapted to be connected to one of said two elements, (b) a clamp adapted to be clamped to said elongated member at various rotationally adjusted positions thereon, and (c) a second member adapted to be connected to the other of said two elements and adapted to be associated with said clamp in a fixed rotational relationship therewith, said clamp and said second member being so constructed that said fixed rotational relationship is predetermined by adjustment and clamping of said clamp on said elongated member.

32. A method of associating together, disassociating and then reassociating together two elements in a musical drum set, comprising: (a) providing in association with one of said two elements in said set an elongated member having a clamp clamped thereon at a certain longitudinal and rotational position, (b) rotating said elongated member about its longitudinal axis until at least part of said clamp is in a position to mate with a device associated with the other of said two elements, (c) effecting insertion of one end portion of said elongated member into said other of said two elements as far as is permitted by said clamp, at least said part of said clamp then mating with said device to determine the rotated position of said elongated member relative to said device and thus relative to said other element, (d) withdrawing said elongated member from said other element and disengaging said clamp part from said device, and (e) reinserting said one end portion into said other element, and again effecting mating of said clamp part and said device, said step (e) either automatically achieving the same position resulting from performance of said steps (a), (b) and (c), or achieving another and different desired position, depending upon whether or not the position of said clamp on said elongated member was changed by the drummer prior to performance of said step (e).