GB2518672A

GB2518672A - A drum tuning apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2518672A
Application number: GB1317244.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Read
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-09-30
Filing date: 2013-09-30
Publication date: 2015-04-01
Also published as: GB201317244D0

Abstract

A drum tuning apparatus 20, for use with a drum comprising a drumhead 30 and drumshell 40, includes the following features: a support frame 50 attachable to the drumshell; a tensioner 90 coupled to the support frame and disposed adjacent to the drumhead; and an actuator 110 coupling the support frame and tensioner. Operation of the actuator causes the tensioner to move relative to the support frame to alter the tension of the drumhead. Preferably, the apparatus is operated via a foot pedal 150 and includes a pivotable arm to couple the actuator and support frame or tensioner. The tensioner preferably comprises a spoked wheel with an elongate guide member 80 attached to its centre, which is movable along the central axis of the drum to contact the underside of the drumhead. A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed. The apparatus provides a drum 10 that may be tuned during playing such that a melody may be played.

Description

A DRUM TUNING APPARATUS

The present inventli)n relates generally to a method and apparatus for tuning a (lrum and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in a drum that may he tuned (luring playing such that a melody may he played.

Conventional drums comprise a drumhead (often referred to as a skin) and a drum shell. The drum shell is often an open-ended cylindrical tube, which may be made of a material such as wood or metal. The drumhead extends across one of the open ends of the drum shell and may be held in place by a drum rim. Where a drum rim is lO used, the drum rim extends around a periphery of the open end of the drum shell, sandwiching the drumhead therebetween. The drum rim may be secured to the drum shell by a plurality of tensioning rods. Each tensioning rod may he screw threaded, such that tightening the tensioning rod draws the drum rim and drum shell together, tensioning the drumhead.

Tensioning such a drum is a process that requires skill and experience. In particular, a user should tap the drumhead at a location a short distance (for instance approximately 4cm for a drum having a drumhead of approximately 30cm diameter) from each tensioning rot], listen for inconsistent sounds, arid turn each tensioning rod accordingly. Once this has been (lone, if the drum is to he re-tuned to a different pitch, this process must be repeated, which is inconvenient and time consuming.

To overcome this problem, an alternative to a conventional drum was developed, referred to as the Rototom. Rototoms do not have a traditional drum shell.

Rather, Rototoms comprise a drumhead tensioned over a hoop that is rotatably mounted on a threaded centre bolt, such that rotation of the hoop about the axis of the bolt causes the hoop to move axially along the bolt. A tensioning part extends from the centre bolt to rest in contact with the drumhead. Rotating the hoop raises or lowers the drumhead on the tensioning part, thereby lowering or raising the tension, thus lowering or raising the pitch of the Rotodrum. In this manner, a Rototom is provided with a variable pitch, such that composers are known to specify a pitch to which the Rototom is be tuned for a particular piece of music.

Nevertheless, a Rototom may not be tuned during playing, as this redluires a large degree of manual handling by a user over a timescale that is longer than the time

I

between successive notes in a melody. The present invention seeks to solve this and other problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drum tuning apparatus, for use with a drum, the drum comprising a drumhead and a drum shell, the drum tuning apparatus comprising: a support frame configured to be attachable to the drum shell; a tensioner coupled to the support frame, the tensioner configured to be arrangable adjacent the drumhead; and an actuator coupling the support frame and the tensioner, the actuator configured to translate the tensioner relative to the support frame such that, in use, the tension of the drumhead is altered, thereby tuning the drum.

Translation of the tensioner relative to the support frame may bxing the tensioner into contact with the drumhead. Howevei preferably, the tensioner may be configured to be arrangable to be in contact with the drumhead. In either case, translation of the tensioner relative to the support frame may partially and/or further deform the drumhead so as to increase and/or decrease the tension in the drumhead.

Tn this way, the drum tuning apparatus may be retrofitted into a pre-existing drum. In particular, the drum tuning apparatus may be retrofitted into substantially any sbe or shape of drum and/or a drum positioned at substantially any orientation. In contrast, the rotation of the drum shell required to tune the Rotodrum (RTM) would require theuseofadrumthatiswellbalanccd androtationally symmetric In addition, the drum tuning apparatus may be operated while the drum is being played. In particular, the drum may he tuned while it is resonating. In contrast, the rotation of the drum shell required to tune the Rotodrum (RTM) would dampen resonance of the drumhead due to physical contact by a drummer, or other associated user.

The actuator may be configured to translate the tensioner relative to the support frame a maximum distance of approximately 20mm; in particular approximately 3mm, 5mm, or 13mm, and more particularly approximately 10mm.

The actuator may be configured to translate the tensioner relative to the support frame by one or more predetermined discrete distances and/or increments; that is, translation of the tensioner may be indexed. The discrete distances may be between approximately 0.1mm and 10mm, in particular between approximately 0.3mm and 5mm, more particularly between approximately 0.8mm and 2mm. Alternatively, the actuator may be configured to translate the tensioner relative to the support frame over a smoothly varying range of distances, for instance, between approximately 0mm and 20mm.

In some embodiments the actuator may translate the tensioner non-linearly. In particular, for a given input to the actuator, the actuator may move the tensioner a first distance if the tensioner has already been displaced a first displacement, and a second distance if the tensioner has already been displaced a second displacement. In this way, a user may be able to tune the drum to a sequence of notes, merely by activating the actuator a predetermined set of identical increments. For instance, the actuator may i0 incorporate a cam, such that the amount the actuator moves the tensioner varies smoothly with the amount the actuator has been activated by a user.

The actuator may he indexed; that is, the actuator may he configured to move the tensioner by a pre-defined distance in response to activation by the user. In particular, the indexing may he such that a first activation signal by a user may cause the 1 5 tensioner to move such that the drum pitch increases by one semitone, and a second activation signal by a user may cause the tensioner to move such that the drum pitch decreases by one semitone.

Alternatively, the actuator may translate the tensioner linearly. In this way, a use may he able to tune the drum to a sequence of notes by activating the actuator a predetermined set of increments spaced apart by a predetermined factor, for instance Z. For instance, the n -note may be achieved by activating the actuator by an amount equal to s -(s/(2 / 12))) where s is the theoretical maximum deflection of the drum skin. It is to he understood that the skilled person would he aware of various alternative linear and non-linear systems for moving the tensioner.

The actuator may he configured to translate the tensioner relative to the support frame substantially without any relative rotation between the tensioner and the support frame. In this way, damage to the drumheacl may he minimi2ed clue to the absence of torsion forces acting on the drumhead by the tensioner.

The drum may be of any shape and/or configuration; however, a drum having a dmumhead that is substantially circular is preferred. The tensioner may he substantially ring hke, circular, elliptical, oval and/or any other shape. The tensioner may he configured to engage the drumhead around a periphery of the drumhead. The tensioner may have an edge for contact with the drumhead. The edge may have a cross section having a substantially rounded profile. Alternatively, the edge may have a cross section having a substantially sharp or fiat profile. The edge may have a profile with a radius of curvature of between approximately 1mm and 9mm, in particular between approximately 3mm and 8.5mm, more particularly between approximately 5mm and 8mm, and in parucular 7.5mm.

The support frame may be attached to the drum shell by clips, clamps, screws, bolts, other fixing means and/or a brace. The support frame may extend substantially across one or more than one diameter of the drum shell.

The tensioncr may comprise a longitudinal guide member, and the support frame may comprise a guide for receiving longitudinal guide member, the guide configured to restrict movement of tlie tensioner relative to thc support to translation in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal guide member.

The actuator may comprise a mechanical energy transfer componetit, for translating the tensioner in response to movement by a user at location spaced from the drum. The mechanical energy transfer component may he a Bowden cable, hydraulic cable, mechanical linkage or similar arrangement.

The actuator may comprise a pivotable arm, pivotally coupled at a first end of the ann to one of the tensioner and the support frame, such that tnoveriient of the pivotable arm causes movement of the tensioner relative to the support frame.

The pivotable arm may be coupled to the support frame by a linkage at the first end of the pivotable arm.

The linkage may comprise a rigid link component pivotally connected to the pivotahle arm at a first end of the rigid link, and pivotally connected to the support frame at a second end of the rigid link, opposing the first end.

The mechanical energy transfer component may he connected to the pivotable arm at a second end opposite the first end.

The actuator may further comprise a user control device, that may he configured to allow a user to control translation of the tensioner relative to the support frame from a location spaced from the drutn.

The drum tuning apparatus may comprise metal, in particular, steel, aluminium, or some other alloy. Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may comprise a ceramtc material, a plastics material, a composite material (e.g. fibreglass and/or carbon fibre) and/or wood.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drum comprising a drumhead, a drum shell and the drum tuning apparatus of the first aspect.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is a provided a method of tuning a drum, the method comprising the steps of: providing a drum, comprising a drumhead and a drum shell; providing the drum tuning apparatus of any preceding claim; attaching the support frame to the drum shell; arranging the tensioner adjacent the drumhead; and operating the actuator to translating the tensioner relative to the support frame such that the tension of the druinhead is altered, thereby tuning the drum.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a drum incorporating the drum tuning apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of a drutri incorporating the drum tuning apparatus of the present invention.

The present invention \vill be described with respect to certain drawings but the invention is not hmited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily he considered to he an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may he exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthennore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to he understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to he understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under apoprte circumstances and that operation is capable in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

It is to be noticed that the term "comprising", used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to he interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the lO presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and II" should not he limited to devices consisting only of components A and 13. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B. Similarly, it is to he noticed that the term "connected", used in the description, should not he interpreted as being restricted to direct connections only. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device A connected to a device B" should not be limited to devices or systems wherein tni output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. "Connected" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other hut yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

Reference throughout this specification to "an emhodiment" or "an aspect" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the prese invention. Thus, appearances of the Phrases "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", or "in an aspect" in various places throughout this specification arc not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to different embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, stmcturcs or characteristics of any embodiment or aspect of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this

disclosure, in one or more embodiments or aspects.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description various features of the nrventton are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamnlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to he interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Moreover, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following lO the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodirnent, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to he within the scope of the invention, and fonu yet further embodiments, as will he understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can he used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details arc set forth.

I lowever, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may he pr:nsed wrihout these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of

this description.

In the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to he construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said paratueter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

The use of the term "at least one" may mean only one in certain circumstances.

The principles of the invention will noxv he described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features of the invention. It is clear that other arrangements can he configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without deparring from the underlying concept or technical teaching of the iventton, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a drum 10 incorporating the drum tuning apparatus 20 of the ptesetrt invention. The drum 10 comprises a drumhead 30 in the form of a substantially flat membrane, and a drum shell 40 in the form of an open-ended cylindrical tube, having an axial length of approximately 80 per cent of its diameter. The cross-section of figure 1 is taken in a plane that includes the axis of the drum shell 40.

The drum tuning apparatus 20 comprises a support frame 50 attached to the lO drum shell 40. The specific means of attachment is not shown, for clarit. The support frame 50 comprises an elongate bar that extends across a diameter of the drum shell 40.

At each end of the elongate bar are provided feet 60 shaped to conform to the interior profile of the drum shell 40. In some embodiments, the feet 60 may he specifically designed for a specific type, shape and/or material of drum shell. Additionally or alternatively, the feet 60 may be made from a resilient and/or soft material, paddeti, anti/or jointed, in order to provide firm engagement with the interior surface of the drum shell 40. The feet 60 have an area for contact with the interior surface of the drum shell 40 that is larger than the cross section of the elongate bar. In l)tn1tTular, the feet 60 extend in a direction away from the drumhead 30, such that the elongate bar of the support frame 50 may be placed as close to the drumhead 30 as desired. The support frame has a hole 70 therethrough, aligned with the axis of the drum shell 40.

The hole 70 is shown over-sized for clarity.

Arranged to pass through the hole 70 is an elongate guide member 80 of a tensioner 90. The elongate guide member 80 is arranged to reciprocate within the hole 70, such that the hole 70 acts as a guide for the elongate guide member 80. The tensioner 90 is shaped in the form of a spoked wheel with the elongate guide member attached to the centre of the wheel. The cross-section of figure 1 has been taken through the tensioner 90 such that a spoke can he seen extending across a diameter of the wheel. Around a periphery of the tensioner is a ring-like contact surface 100. The contact surface is arranged for contacting the drumhead 30, such that the tension within the drumhead 30 may he varied in response to axial movement of the elongate guide member 80 within the hole 70. The contact surface niay he rounded or sharp, or a combination of the two.

An actuator 110 is provided on a side of the support frame 50 opposite the drunthead 30. The actuator 110 comprises a link member pi otaily coupled at a first end to a part of the support frame 50 approximately mid-way between the hole 70 and one of the feet 60. A pivotable arm 130 is pivotally connected at a flrst end thereof to a second end of the link men her 120. The pivotahle arm 130 is coupled to the elongate guide member 80 of the tensioner 90. In this way, oscillator movement of the pivotable arm 130 causes reciprocal movement of the tensioner 90. In some embodiments, the coupling between the pivotable arm 130 and the elongate guide member 80 is merely due to contact, such that one rests against the other. In this way, iO rotational motion of the pivotable arm 130 about its first end does not result in any form of rotational motion of the tensioner 90.

A first end of a liowden cable 140 is coupled to a second end of the pivotahie arm 130, and to the support frame 50. The liowden cable 140 is coupled at a second end to a foot pedal 150. Tn this way, operation of the foot pedal 150 causes movement of the inner cable part of the Bowden cable 140 within the outer sleeve of the Bowden cable 140. The foot pedal 150 comprises a base part 160 and a rotary part 170 pivotally coupled thereto about a mid-point of each part 160, 170. The Bowden cable 140 is coupled to a first end of each pttrt 160, 170 and gnp for a user's foot is provided at a second end of the rotary part 170. Movement of the foot pedal by a foot may cause movement of the tensioner proportional to the movement of the foot pedal. For instance, the tensioner may move a distance between approximately 5% and SO°/o of the distance moved by the grip of the foot pedal, lit particular between approximately IO% and 2O%, more particularly approximately 13%. The proportional movement may be adjustable, and may be selected from a pre-defined set of proportions (for instance, by attaching one end of the Bowden cable 140 to different positions on the rotary part 170). In this way the apparatus may he used for drums of various sizes and pitch ranges. For instance, drums having diameters between approximately 20cm and 70cm.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of a drum 10 incorporating the drum tuning apparatus 20 of the present invention. Like reference numerals describe like components shown in figure 1. The drumhcad 30 is retained on the drum shell 40 my means of a drum rim 200, which is connected to the drum shell 40 by tensioning rods 210, which also serve to tension the drumhead 30. The linkage 120 is provided in two parts, disposed on opposing sides of the support member 50 and pivotable arm 130.

The linkage 120 is pivotally coupled to each of the support member 50 and the piotable ann 130 by bolts 220 passing thn)ugh holes therein, and secured in place 1w nuts 230.

Attached to an end of the elongate guide member 80 opposite the drurnhead 30 is provided a contact plate 240. The contact plate 240 may he rigidly coupled between the elongate guide member 80 and pivotable arm 130. Alternatively, the contact plate 240 may be mechanically connected to only one of the elongate guide member 80 and pivotable arm 130, so as to pemit sliding motion between the elongate guide member and the pivotable arm 130, such that rotational movement of the pivotable arm 130 lO only results in translational movement of the elongate guide member 80 in a direction through the hole 70.

For clarity, the ilowden cable 140 and foot pedal 150 are not shown in figure 2.

However, the liowden cable connector 250 is shown to thdicate the relative position of the Bowden cable 140. The outer sleeve of the Bowden cable couples to the pivotahie ann 130 at the passageway 260, through which the inner cable part may pass to connect to the support frame 50.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A drum tuning apparatus, f*r use with a drum, the drum comprising a drunihead and a drum shell, the drum tuning apparatus comprising: a support frame configured to he attachable to the drum shell; a tensioner coupled to the support frame, the tensioner configured to be arrangable adjacent the drumhead; and an actuator coupling the support frame and the tensioner, the actuator configured to translate the tensioner relative to the support frame such that, in use, the tension of the drumhead is altered, thereby tuning the drum.
2. The drum tuning apparatus of claim I, wherein the actuator is configured to translate the tensioner relative to the support frame substantially without any relative rotation between the tensioner and the support frame.
3. The drum tuning apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the tensioner comprises a longitudinal guide member, arid the support frame comprises a guide for receiving longitudinal guide member, the guide configured to restrict movement of the tensioner relative to the support to translation in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal guide member.
4. The drum tuning apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the actuator comprises a mechanical energy uansfer component, for translating the tensioner in response to movement by a user at location spaced from the drum.
5. The drum tuning apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the actuator comprises a pivotahle arm, pivotally coupled at a first end of the arm to one of the tensioner and the support frame, such that movement of the pivotable arm causes movement of the tensioner relative to the support frame.
6. The drum tuning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the pivotable arm is coupled to the support frame by a linkage at the first end of the pivotahle arm.II
7. The drum tuning apparatus of claim 6, wherein the linkage comprises a rigid link component pivotaliy connected to the pivotable arm at a first end of the rigid link, and pivotally connected to the support frame at a second end of the rigid link, opposing the first end.
8. The drum tuning apparatus of any one of claims 5-7 when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 4, wherein the mechanical energy transfer component is connected to the pivotable arm at a second end opposite the first end.
9. The drum tuning apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the actuator thrther comprises a user control device, configured to allow a user to control translation of the tensioner relative to the support frame from a location spaced from the drum.
10. A drum tuning apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.it. A drum comprising a drumhead, a drum shell and the drum tuning apparatus of any preceding claim.12. A method of tuning a drum, the method comprising the steps on providing a drum, comprising a drunihead and a drum shell; providing the drum tuning apparatus of any preceding claim; attaching the support frame to the drum shell; arranging the tensioner adjacent the drumhead; and operating the actuator to translating the tensioner relative to the support frame such that the tension of the drumhead is altered, thereby tuning the drum.