CA2681889A1

CA2681889A1 - Cajon

Info

Publication number: CA2681889A1
Application number: CA 2681889
Authority: CA
Inventors: Kenneth David Meilleur
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-13
Filing date: 2009-10-13
Publication date: 2011-04-13

Abstract

Cajon drums are a musical instrument and are typically made of different woods. Sheets of wood are cut and assembled using a variety of methods, usually with a sound-hole in the back of the Instrument. The instrument is played either with or without guitar strings or snares being additionally installed into the Instrument. Typically, a face-plate made of the same or of a different wood is attached to the front of the instrument which is the primary playing surface of the Instrument. The Inventor has created a Snare Adjustment Mechanism, as well as Enhanced Sound Manipulations in the construction of the Cajon Instrument.

Description

SPECIFICATIONS
The object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of the Cajon which avoids the disadvantages of known constructions. Firstly, and specifically related to the Cajon with snares installed, it is common knowledge that Cajon Instruments which incorporate snares have either no adjustment mechanism or that the mechanism is not easily adjustable. Secondly, and related in general to Cajon Instruments, while various types of wood are utilized in the making of the Instrument, consideration is not known to have been given to the manipulation of the wood itself to enhance the sounds of the Instrument, other than to creating sound-holes, finishing techniques, and variations in the design of the face-plates.

Firstly, I have found that the first disadvantage of not having an easily adjustable snare mechanism can be overcome by creating a snare throw-off adjustment with a handle attachment that locks and unlocks by using a wing nut to secure the snares in place. The handle allows more tension or less tension with ease of use. Figure 1 displays the Snare Mechanism Adjustment which I have invented.
The following is a description of the invention for which details correspond to the matching numerical labels in Figure 1:

1. A bar, 27.5 cm. long, is built from wood to fit inside the Cajon instrument.

2. A Spring Lock Bearing is attached to the right side of the wooden bar. This will later fit into a slightly pre-drilled spot in the right side of the Cajon Instrument.
The spring-loaded tension of the Spring Lock Bearing will provide for a secure fit at the time of installation.

3. Holes for screws are pre-drilled to allow for later attachment of chosen snare wires.

4. A Square End Bearing is attached to the left side of the wooden bar and protrudes out to allow for the handle attachment. This protruding portion will later be inserted through a pre-drilled hole in the left side of the Cajon Instrument.

5. The handle has an opening in the centre slightly larger in size to the end of the Square End Bearing. The handle is comprised of a metal plate which can be screwed into the Instrument and a protruding lever allows for easy adjusting of the entire mechanism.
The handle also includes a wing nut which permits the locking and unlocking of the mechanism at the chosen tension level. (A visual photograph of the handle, installed on the Cajon Instrument, is attached as Figure 2.) Secondly, I have found that the sound of the instrument can be enhanced by manipulating the wood at the top and a portion of the top-sides at the front of the Instrument.
Specifically, the wood is shaved away in this area before the face-plate (the primary resonating point of the instrument) is attached. By shaving the areas mentioned, using a Router, the resonating capabilities of the Instrument are enhanced significantly. Figure 1 displays the manipulations in the construction of portions of the front of the Cajon Instrument. Details correspond to the matching numerical labels in Figure 1:

6. The view is the entire outer front casing of the Cajon instrument (after enhanced manipulations).

7. The lower two-thirds and bottom of the outer casing is 1.8 cm. wide.

8. An inner frame, also 1.8 cm. wide, is installed inside the outer casing (referenced in 7 above) for the later secure installation of a face-plate.

9. Initially, this area was the same width as the 1.8 cm. referenced in 7 above; however, to improve sound quality in the major playing area of the Cajon Instrument, this area has been shaved, using a Router, so that this area is now only 1.25 cm. wide.
Additionally, a further 1.25 cm. has been shaved in the depth of this area from the front of the instrument.

10. Small wood blocks have been attached at the top for the later securing of the face-plate to the Cajon Instrument. Two wood blocks may be attached as shown or, alternatively, three wood blocks can be used (one @ each top end and one in the middle). The choice is a matter of preference from musician to musician.

DRAWINGS/PHOTOGRAPHS
* Figure 1 - Drawings of Snare Adjustment Mechanism and Enhanced Sound Manipulations * Figure 2 - Photograph of sample Cajon Instrument with Handle The patent rights sought with this invention are with respect to rights associated with the Snare Adjustment Mechanism and the Enhanced Sound Manipulations contained herein related to the construction of Cajon Instruments.

Claims

CLAIM

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

* This invention relates to a manually, operable Snare Adjustment Mechanism for the Cajon Instrument, as well as construction details for the top and upper left sides of the wood at the front of the Instrument (before the face-plate is attached) for Enhanced Sound Manipulations.