GB2514335A

GB2514335A - An illuminated drumstick

Info

Publication number: GB2514335A
Application number: GB1308803.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Carpenter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-05-16
Filing date: 2013-05-16
Publication date: 2014-11-26
Also published as: GB201308803D0

Abstract

An illuminated drumstick comprises an elongated body 12, having a proximal handle end 14, a distal tip 16 and a translucent or transparent portion 18 located between said handle end and tip. At least one light guide means 20 is located within the drum stick, each light guide means comprising a light scattering means (26a, 26b, 26c) located within the translucent or transparent portion and adapted to scatter light from the light guide means through the transparent or translucent portion. At least one light source (30), such as one or more LEDs, is in optical communication with the at least one light guide means. The tip of the drumstick may also be transparent and may be removable. A plurality of differently coloured LEDs may be provided, each with its own light guide which are arranged in a bundle. Apparatus (60) for charging the drumstick may be provided.

Description

An illuminated drumstick

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to illuminated drumsticks and in particular to drumsticks having a battery powered light source and extended sources of illumination.

Background -

Illuminated drumsticks are known in which light is directed out of the drumstick at the tip, either by means of a light source such as an LED or by means of a fibre optic light guide extending from a light source in the shaft of the drumstick to the tip.

Drumsticks are known that glow along their length, with light provided by chemiluminescent means from a glow stick or similar. These prior art drumsticks suffer from the disadvantage of giving relatively low levels of illumination. They are also not able easily to provide changing patterns to the viewer's eye as the drumstick moves. The present invention aims to provide an improved illuminated drumstick having greater light output and the ability to provide the impression of a moving pattern (changing colour) to a.vi?wer as the stick is moved.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following; U320110017046 discloses a drumstick far musical instruments, such as drums and drum kits, comprising a drumstick shaft and a drumstick head provided with an outlet opening, out of which the light of at least one light emitting diode provided in the drumstick can escape, wherein the drumstick comprises at least two shells that are complementary to one another, aligned in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drumstick and glued to one another, at least one of the shells comprising a recess, in which a circuit is arranged, that serves for controlling the light emitting diode, which is located in the drumstick head or which is located in the drumstick shaft and coupled with at least one optical fibre that is guided to the opening, wherein the circuit comprises a fixed or flexible printed circuit board, which extends from the drumstick shaft to the drumstick head.

This device comprises a light source coupled to the drumstick head by means of an optical fibre, the light being directed out of the drumstick head from the fibre. The drumstick only provides illumination from the head, and in one embodiment also from opposing tip of the drumstick at the handle, and does nol provide illumination along the length of the drumstick.

US6423891 discloses an illuminating drumstick having an elongated body with a hollowed interior extending substantially between a tip end and an open butt end. A threadably engageable end cap secures over the butt end. A power supply is contained within a housing axially inserted within the hollowed interior, the power supply including at least one battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal. An illuminating light emitting diode is arranged at the tip end and communicates with the positive and negative terminals of the power supply. A first wire extends from the diode to the negative terminal and a second wire likewise extends from the diode to the positive terminal. An on/off circuit is activated by rotating the threaded end cap relative the body and to selectively open and close an electrical connection to the positive terminal. The circuit further includes a continuously biasing spring and an electrically communicable clip ring urged by the.

end cap in a first threaded direction against the positive terminal in a first "on" position. The spring decompresses from the positive terminal, and the end cap dis-communicates from and out of communication with the clip ring, in a second "off' position and upon rotation of the end cap in an opposite and unthreaded direction.

U34722035 discloses an improved illuminated drumstick of the type having a light-emitting diode powered by batteries. The improvements include a switch using a flexible metal strap over a resilient pad affixed to one end of the batteries.

Additionally, the batteries may be connected by a thin flexible strap, and the light emitting diode is rectangular in shape and securely held in a channel at the tip of the drumstick.

(.184226163 discloses a drumstick that comprises a tip, a shank and a cap. The tip -includes a light emitting diode and electrical leads connect the diode to a power source housed in a cavity formed between the shank and the cap. Threading the cap onto the shank effects a completed circuit including the power source and the diode.

The motion of the lit stick tip enhances the rhythmic feelings contributed by the drummer to a musical group.

The three devices above also provide illumination from the head or tip of the drumstick, and not along its length, though in these cases the device comprises a light sources located itself at the tip of the drumstick.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an illuminated drumstick comprising: an elongated body having a proximal handle end, a distal tip and a translucent or transparent portion located between said handle end and tip; at least one light guide means located within the drum stick, each light guide means comprising a light scattering means located within said tranélucent or transparent portion adapted to scalier light from the light guide means through the transparent or translucent portion; and at least one light source in optical communication with the at least one light guide mean& The distal tip refers to the end of the drumstick typically distal from a user and arranged to be used primarily to strike a drum or percussive instrument wherein it is recognised in drumming that the handle end of the drumstick may also be used in some circumstances.

Preferably the tip is rounded and is adapted to strike a conventional drum head. By a rounded tip is meant a tip having a rounded circumference perpendicular to the axis of the elongated body. In some embodiments the tip has a substantially ovoid profile as known in conventional drumsticks as used for example on side or snare drums. In some embodiments the tip has a substantially cylindrical profile as known in conventional drum beaters as used, for example on bass drums or timpani.

In some embodiments the tip comprises at least a translucent portion.

In some embodiments the tip is removable from the elongated body and is replaceable The term "translucent is used herein to refer to the ability to pass light through a material or a body, and herein translucent includes transparent and semi-translucent, including materials that scatter or diffuse light passing through them to a greater or lesser degree, and material comprising regions through which light may pass and regions which are opaque, for example composites and granular materials in which one component is opaque and a second component is translucent.

By light guide means is. meant a light guide means as known in the art, in some cases being described as a material or body adapted to allow light to pass along or through it while light is substantially not scattered out of the material or body or is scattered out to a much lesser degree than it is conveyed within the material or body.

By light scattering means is meant means to cause light to exit the light guide means and to propagate into the surrounding environment. Examples of light scattering means are described herein and include the end of a light guide means and a surface roughening or faceting of the light guiding means.

By optical communication is meant that light from a light source is able to enter the light guide means. The light source may be adjacent to an end of the light guiding means, and is7preferably in close contact with it. The light guiding means may comprise lens means associated with the end of the light guiding means adapted to gather light from a light source.

In one embodiment the light 9uide means is provided as part of the elongated body.

In other embodiments the light guide means, is separate from the elongated body and housed within it.

In preferred embodiments the light source is' provided near the handle end of the elongated body, for example between the midpoint of the body and Ihe end of the body furthest from the tip.

Preferably the drumstick comprises a battery adapted to drive the light source, housed within and near the handle end of the elongated body. Preferably the battery is rechargeable and the drumstick comprises a first and a second contact means on the outside of the elongated body, preferably at or near the handle end of the body.

In one embodiment the drumstick comprises induction charging means adapted to charge the battery by RF induction from an external RF power source as known in the art.

In this way the drumstick provides an illuminated length along the drumstick that shines when the light source is powered by the battery. In use the light will produce patterns perceived by a watcher as the drumstick is moved. The effect is in contrast to prior art devices where light shines from the tip of the drumstick, and owing to the persistence of vision in the human eye will provide an impression of a fan of light moving past the observer.

In preferred embodiments more than one light source is provided, each having a different colour. For example, three light sources may be provided, in each of red, green and blue. Other colour combinations are within scope of the invention.

In preferred embodiments more than one light guide means is provided, each having an associated light source optically coupled to it. Preferably each light source will be of a different colour. In a preferred embodiment three light guide means are provided, the first having a red source optically coupled to it, the second having a green source optically coupled to it, the third having a blue source optically coupled toiL In preferred embodiments the light sources are light emitting diodes (LEDs).

In preferred embodiments the light guide means comprise one or more optical fibres, for example formed from glass or from polymers. The optical fibres may be uncoated or may comprise a coating layer different from the core.

In preferred embodiments the light scattering means comprises the end of all or part of the light guide means. Preferably the light scattering means comprises the end of an optical fibre forming part of a light guide means.

In some embodiments the light scattering means comprise means to couple light out from a fibre at a position along its length. Such light scattering means are known in the art and may comprise means to frustrate total internal reflection within the light guide. Such means may for example comprise a roughening of the surface of the light guide means, one or more recesses or shaped faces formed on or within the light guide means, in the light guide means having a coating, for example comprising a fibre, modification to the core or the coating, for example absence of a portion of the coating.

In some embodiments a light guide means comprises more than one light scattering means.

In some embodiments the light guide means comprises a plurality of optical fibres. In preferred embodiments the fibres are grouped in a number of bundles.

Preferably each group of optical fibres ends at a different location within the translucent portion.

In preferred embodiments the said groups are arranged substantially concentrically around a core.

In some embodiments the core comprises light guide means.

In some embodiments the core comprises a plurality of optical fibres.

In some versions of this embodiment the core 24 may comprise a further light guide means, for example an optical fibre or group of fibres. In alternative embodiments the core 24 comprises a spine adapted to control the rigidity and flexibility of the drumstick, for example to strengthen it and to act as a support spine around which the fibres may be mounted.

Each group of fibres comprising a light scattering means 26a, 26b, 26c in the form of the ends of the fibres out of which light will scatter. In some embodiments in which the core 24 comprises a light guide means the end of the core 28 may also act as a light scattering means. The ends of the fibres are located within the translucent portion 18 which comprises a translucent hollow member into which the light guide means 20 is mounted and onto which the tip 16 is fixed.

Preferably the drumstick comprises a control means adapted to control the illumination of the one or mare light sources. In one embodiment the control means comprises an on/off switch means. In further embodiments the control means is adapted to control each of more than one light sources individually. In a further embodiments the control means comprises flashing means to cause one or more light sources to flash on and off. In a further embodiment the control means comprises a memory and means to illuminate one or more light sources according to data stored in the memory. In this way the drumstick may produce patterns of flashing light from the one or more light guide means at one or more locations along the drumstick and in some embodiments at the tip.

In preferred embodiments the drumstick forms part of an apparatus comprising the drumstick and a charging dock comprising one or more recesses adapted to receive the handle end of the drumstick, each recess comprising charging means to deliver an electric charge to the battery.

Preferably the charging means comprises two or more contact means adapted to come into contact with first and second contact means provided on the drumstick and a power supply adapted to provide a charging voltage and current to the contact means.

In preferred embodiments the recesses are tapered to provide easy location of the drumsticks.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the pads of the invention! to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a drumstick according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a top view of an embodiment as shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a side view of an embodiment as shown in figure 1.

Figure 4 shows an exploded view of an embodiment as shown in figure 1.

Figure 5 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a charging dock according to the invention.

Figure 6 shows a rear view of the embodiment of a charging dock shown in figure 5.

Detailed DescriDtion of Figures Referring to figures Ito 4, an embodiment 10 of an illuminated drumstick according to the invention comprises an elongated body 12 having a handle end 14, a tip 16 and a translucent portion 18 located between the handle end and the tip, and a light guide means 20 located within the drum stick, the light guide means comprising a plurality of optical fibres, the fibres being grouped in a number of substantially concentric groups 22a, 22b, 22c, around a core.24. In some versions of this embodiment the core 24 may comprise a further light guide means, for example an optical fibre or group of fibres. In alternative embodiments the core 24 comprises a spine adapted to control the rigidity and flexibility of the drumstick, for example to strengthen it and to act as a support spine around which the fibres may be mounted.

Each group of fibres comprising a light scattering means 26a, 26b, 26c in the form of the ends of the fibres out of which light will scatter. In some embodiments in which the core 24 comprises a light guide means the end of the core 28 may also act as a light scattering means. The ends of the fibres are located within the translucent portion 16 which comprises a translucent hollow member into which the light guide means 20 is mounted and onto which the tip 16 is fixed.

The drumstick comprises LED light sources 30 in optical communication with the optical fibres. Preferably more than one LED is provided, in different colours, for example red, blue and green. In some embodiments one LED is provided for each group of fibres, each LED being optically coupled only, or predominantly, to a single group of fibres. In this way a different colour of light will be produced from each end of a group of fibres 22a, 22b and 22c. In some embodiments three LEDS may all be coupled to all three groups of fibres and optionally to the core 24, so that coloured light will emerge from all sets of fibre ends, and optionally from the core end, the colour being the same at each sat of ends but of controllable colour from the proportional illumination of all three LED5. It will be apparent that a number of variations are within scope of the invention.

An optical coupling means 32 may be provided mounted on and in optical communication with the optical fibres, such as a polished interface, optionally comprising lens means, and optionally an anti-reflective coating.

The LEDs 30 are preferably mounted on a printed circuit board 34 that may also comprise a control means as described above. The circuit board is coupled to a battery 40 by means of leads 36, a sliding onloff switch 38 and battery contacts 42.

The LEDs and other components are housed inside a housing 44 comprising a top housing portion 46 and a bottom portion 46. Battery contacts 42 are preferably in electrical contact with external charging contacts 50, for example located at the base of the drumstick as shown. The on/off switch is operated by means of a switch cover 52, for example made from a self-lubricating polymer.

The tip 16 is mounted on the body, in this embodiment on the translucent body portion 18, and may be fixed permanently or may be removable and interchangeable, for example in case of wear or to change the colour or degree of translucency of the tip, where light emerging from the tip may or may not be desired.

The translucent body portion 18 may be formed by injection moulding of a translucent polymer, the housing top and bottom portions by injection moulding of a preferably opaque polymer. The tip 16 may be a further pOlymer component in for example nylon or may in some embodiments be formed from another solid material for

example wood. -

Referring to figures 5 and 6 an embodiment 60 of a charging dock for use with the drumstick and forming part of the apparatus of the invention, comprising one or more recesses 62 adapted to receive the handle end 14 of the drumstick, each recess' comprising charging means to deliver an electric charge to the battery.

Preferably the charging means comprises two or more contact means located within the recess adapted to come into contact with first and second contact means provided on the drumstick and a power supply adapted to provide a charging voltage and current to the contact means. The recesses are tapered to provide easy location of the drumsticks. The charging dock comprises a casing 66 comprising a power supply drawing power from a power cable (not shown). In some embodiments the charging dock comprises induction power supply means adapted to charge a battery inside the drumstick by induction as known in the art.

The charging dock comprises a mounting means in the form of a bulldog clip 64 to allow it to be mounted easily on a drum kit.

Claims

Claims 1. An illuminated drumstick comprising an elongated body having a proximal handle end, a distal tip and a translucent or transparent portion located between said handle end and tip; at least one light guide means located within the drum stick: each light guide means comprising a light scattering means located within said translucent or transparent portion adapted to scatter light from the light guide means through the transparent or translucent portion; and 19 at least one light source in optical communication with the at least one light guide means.
2. A drumstick as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tip comprises at least a translucent portion.
3. A drumstick as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tip is removable from the elongated body.
4. A drumstick as claimed in any claim above wherein the light guide means is provided as part of the elongated body.
5. A drumstick as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the light guide means is separate from the elongated body and housed within it.
6. A drumstick as claimed in any claim above wherein the light source is provided near the handle end of the elongated body.
7. A drumstick as claimed in any claim above wherein more than one light source is provided, each having a different colour.
8. A drumstick as claimed in any claim above wherein more than one light guide means is provided, each having an associated light source optically coupled to it.
9. A drumstick as claimed in claim 8 wherein the more than one light guide means each comprise a light scattering means located at a different position within the translucent portion.
10. A drumstick as claimed in any claim above wherein the light sources are light emitting diodes (LEDs).
11. A drumstick as claimed in any claim above wherein the light guide means comprises one or more optical fibres.
12. A drumstick as claimed in claim 11 wherein the light scattering means comprises the end of an optical fibre forming part of a tight guide means.
13. A drumstick as claimed claims 11 or 12 wherein the light scattering means cOmprises means to couple light out from a fibre at a position along its length.
14.A drumstick as claimed in any of claims 11 to 14 wherein the fibres are in groups each group being optically coupled to a one or more light sources.
15. A drumstick as claimed in claim 14 wherein said groups of fibres are arranged substantially concentrically.
16. A drumstick as claimed in any claim above comprising a control means adapted to control the illumination of the one or more light sources.
17, A drumstick as claimed in any claim above comprising induction charging means adapted to charge a battery within the drumstick.
18. An apparatus comprising a drumstick as claimed in any claim herein and a charging dock comprising one or more recesses adapted to receive the handle end of the drumstick, each recess comprising charging means to deliver an electric charge to the battery.
19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein the charging means comprises two or more contact means adapted to come into contact with first and second contact means provided on the drumstick and a power supply adapted to provide a charging voltage and current to the contact means.