GB2528280A

GB2528280A - Percussion instrument

Info

Publication number: GB2528280A
Application number: GB1412607.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Rathbone
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-07-16
Filing date: 2014-07-16
Publication date: 2016-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-16
Also published as: GB201412607D0; GB2528280B

Abstract

A cymbal assembly, which can be mounted to a side wall of a small percussive musical instrument such as a cajon 50, comprises: first and second opposing cymbals (44) mounted substantially concentrically on a first axis; a cam mechanism communicably coupled to at least one of said cymbals; and an actuating mechanism communicably coupled to said cam mechanism. The actuating mechanism is configured such that a linear force applied along a second axis, substantially orthogonal to said first axis, causes rotation of the cam mechanism, which causes linear movement of at least one cymbal along said first axis. Preferably, the first cymbal is statically mounted and the second cymbal is mounted for linear movement along the first axis. The cam mechanism may comprise a rotational, screw-threaded shaft extending between the cymbals. The actuating mechanism may comprise a level coupled to the cam mechanism, and a foot plate configured to receive a linear downward force from a user to cause the level to apply rotational force to the cam mechanism.

Description

PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT

This invention relates to a percussion instrument and, more particularly, to a hi-hat assembly comprising two cymbals mounted on a stand, one on top of the other, and a pedal which can be used to clash and hold the cymbals together.

A conventional hi-hat assembly has a pedal almost directly below the cymbals, which are supported by a hollow vertical tube. The top cymbals is mounted horizontal and bell up, while an adjustment screw allows the bottom cymbal to be either horizontal or slightly tilted.

Thus, referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a conventional hi-hat assembly 100 in accordance with the prior art. The illustrated assembly comprises a top cymbal 10, mounted horizontal and bell portion ba facing upward, and a bottom cymbal 12 mounted below and facing the top cymbal 10, with its bell portion 12a facing downward. A narrow, metal rod or shaft 14 runs through the centre of both cymbals 10, 12. A clutch 16 is provided at the upper end of the shaft 14 for enabling the position of the top cymbal 10 to be adjusted.

The cymbal assembly 100 is supported by a stand 18 comprising a hollow, vertical tube 20 mounted on a tripod 22. The shaft 14 is telescopically mounted within the upper end of the vertical tube 20, and a pedal 24 is provided at the lower end of the stand 18. An adjustment screw 26, when released, allows the height of the cymbal assembly 100 relative to the stand 18 to be adjusted by sliding the shaft 14 further into or outwardly of the vertical tube 20.

When the adjustment screw 26 is tightened, the cymbal assembly 100 is fixed at the selected height.

The pedal 24 is communicably linked to the shaft 14 via a spring mechanism (not shown), which is biased to hold the top cymbal 10 away from the bottom cymbal 12 in the absence of any foot pressure on the pedal 24.

When the pedal 24 is depressed, the top cymbal 10 is pulled downward against the spring bias by means of the resultant downward movement of the shaft 14, and crashes against the bottom cymbal 12. When the pedal 24 is released, the top cymbal 10 returns to its original position above the bottom cymbal 12. The spring tension in the spring mechanism controls the amount of pressure required to be applied to the pedal 24 in order to lower the top cymbal 10, and the speed at which it returns to the open position. In some embodiments, this spring tension can be varied according to user preference.

Cymbal assemblies of the type described above are often used in conjunction with other percussion instruments. One such instrument is a cajon.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, a cajon 200 is a six sided, box-shaped percussion instrument 28 originally from Peru, played by slapping the front or rear faces (generally thin plywood) with the hands, fingers, or sometimes various implements such as brushes, mallets, or sticks. Sheets of thick wood are generally used for five sides of the box. A thinner sheet of plywood is nailed on as the sixth side, and acts as the striking surface or head. A sound hole 30 is cut on the rear surface, opposite the striking surface, known as the head or tapa.

The top edges are often left unattached and can be slapped against the box 28.

The player sits astride the box 28, tilting it at an angle while striking the head between their knees.

The cajon is popular amongst many musicians as it is small and takes up little space. Many embodiments of the cajon can replicate the sound of both a bass drum and a snare drum. However, in order to provide a more sonically diverse assembly, and replicate the sound of a full drum kit, hi-hat cymbal assemblies with a stand often need to be used alongside a cajon. This has the effect of significantly increasing the footprint of the overall assembly, and effectively defeats the object of using a cajon, which is its portability and simplicity, and the fact that it does not require much space or time to set up.

Some conventional embodiments of hi-hi-hat cymbal assemblies omit the tripod, allowing the assembly to be attached to the side of, for example, a very large bass drum structure. However, these structures are unsuitable for attachment to smaller instruments such as the cajon, as the space available to operate the assembly is too limited, and the configuration of the pedal makes it unsuitable for use when seated and oriented to play a cajon.

Embodiments of the present invention seek to address at least some of these issues.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a percussion instrument comprising first and second cymbals mounted substantially concentrically on a first axis, a cam mechanism communicably coupled to at least one of said cymbals, and an actuating mechanism communicably coupled to said cam mechanism and configured such that a linear force applied thereto along a second axis, substantially orthogonal to said first axis, causes rotation of said cam mechanism, wherein cam mechanism is configured such that rotation thereof causes linear movement of said at least on cymbal along said first axis.

The first cymbal may be statically mounted and said second cymbal may be mounted for linear movement relative thereto along said first axis. The cam mechanism may comprise a rotational shaft which extends between said first and second opposing cymbal. The rotational shaft may be screw threaded along its length, and said second cymbal may be mounted to said rotational shaft by means of a screw threaded nut.

In one exemplary embodiment, the first cymbal may be statically mounted within said assembly by means of a second screw threaded nut, said second screw threaded nut being configured to receive an end of said rotational shaft.

The actuating mechanism may comprise a lever communicably coupled to said cam mechanism, and a foot plate configured to receive a linear downward force, in use, so as to cause said lever to apply a rotational force to said cam mechanism.

In one exemplary embodiment, the cam mechanism may comprise a rotational shaft, and said actuating mechanism may comprise a lever communicably coupled to said rotational shaft and a pedal configured to receive a linear force, in use, said lever being mounted at or adjacent an end of said rotational shaft, and at an angle thereto, and said pedal extending from a distal end of said lever along an axis substantially parallel to said first axis, such that, in use, applying a linear downward force to said pedal causes said lever to rotate said shaft. The assembly may further comprise a tension spring

S

communicably coupled between said actuating mechanism and said second cymbal and configured to bias said second cymbal away from said first cymbal.

A tension spring adjustment mechanism may be provided for adjusting the tension in said tension spring, so as to adjust the relative height of said pedal and/or the linear force required to be applied to said pedal in order to effect rotational movement of said cam mechanism.

The cymbal assembly may comprise a mounting mechanism for mounting said assembly to a surface. In one exemplary embodiment, the actuating mechanism may be mounted at or adjacent to a first longitudinal end of the assembly, and said mounting mechanism may comprise a first magnetic mounting member mounted at or adjacent to the opposite longitudinal end of said assembly. The mounting mechanism may further comprise a second magnetic mounting member, separate from said assembly, and configured for magnetic adhesion with said first magnetic mounting member such that, in use, the assembly can be mounted to a surface having opposing side walls by placing said first magnetic mounting member against an outer side wall and placing said second magnetic mounting member on the inner side wall, such that the first and second magnetic mounting members are magnetically coupled to hold the assembly against said surface.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a percussion instrument comprising a cymbal assembly as defined above, and a cajon, said cymbal assembly being removably mountable to a side wall of said caj on.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a percussion instrument comprising a cajon comprised of a generally box-shaped percussion instrument, having an upper surface, front and rear walls and first and second opposing side walls, said rear wall having an opening therein, the instrument further comprising at least one cymbal mounted on a side wall of said cajon such that the plane of said cymbal is substantially parallel to the plane of said side wall.

The cymbal may be substantially concentrically mounted on a mounting assembly comprising a first magnetic mounting member provided at or adjacent an end thereof, a second magnetic mounting member, separate from said mounting assembly, being provided on the inner side wall of said cajon, immediately adjacent to said first magnetic mounting member, such that the first and second magnetic mounting members are magnetically coupled to hold the assembly against the outer surface of said side wall.

An aspect of the present invention extends to cymbal assembly for a percussion instrument as defined above, a first magnetic mounting member mounted or mountable at or adjacent to a distal end of said elongate shaft, a cymbal being mounted or mountable substantially concentrically to said first magnetic mounting member, and a second magnetic mounting member for positioning, in use, on the inner surface of said side wall of said cajon, immediately adjacent to said first magnetic mounting member, such that the first and second magnetic mounting members are magnetically coupled to hold the assembly against the outer surface of said side wall.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention which will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a hi-hat cymbal assembly and stand

according to the prior art;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a cajon according to the prior art; Figure 3 is a schematic perspective side view of a cymbal assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, mounted to the side wall of a cajon having a cut-away portion on the front wall to show the cymbal assembly mounted through a side wall thereof; Figure 3a is a schematic side view of a cymbal assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, mounted to the side wall of a cajon; Figure 4 schematic exploded view of the components of a cymbal mounting mechanism for mounting a cymbal assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention to the side wall of a cajon; and Figure 5 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the cymbal mounting mechanism of Figure 4, with all of the components connected together.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, a percussion instrument according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a cymbal assembly 40 and a cajon 50. The cymbal assembly 40 is mounted on a side wall of the cajon 50 by means of an elongate mounting mechanism (to be described later) having a proximal end nearest the side wall of the cajon 50 and an opposing distal end. The cymbal assembly 40 comprises a pair of cymbals 42, 44, concentrically mounted and spaced apart on the mounting mechanism such that they are adjacent and substantially parallel to the plane of the outer surface of the cajon side wall. The cymbal assembly 40 is further provided with an operating pedal 46 comprised of a lever 47 and a foot plate 48, and configured such that downward pressure applied to the foot plate 48 causes the outer cymbal 44 to move toward the inner cymbal 42. Referring additionally to Figure 3a of the drawings, the lever 47 extends from a point near the distal end of the mounting mechanism, and is downwardly angled therefrom, such that the substantially planar foot plate 48, which extends substantially horizontally from the distal end of the lever 47, is substantially level with the base of the cajon 50 and extends in front of the front wall thereof. A gap is provided between the foot plate 48 and the surface on which the instrument is supported by means of feet 52 provided on the base of the cajon 50.

The cymbal assembly 40 also comprises a tension spring 49 axially mounted at the distal end of the mounting mechanism, for controlling the height of the foot plate 48 and the amount of pressure required to be applied to the operating pedal 46 in order to move the outer cymbal 44 toward the inner cymbal 42, and the speed at which it returns to the open position. In some embodiments, this spring tension can be varied according to user preference by means of a spring tension adjuster 49a, as will be described in more detail later.

The cymbal assembly uses the principle of linear mechanics adopted by a conventional hi-hat assembly, except that the plane of the cymbals 42, 44 is veryical rather than horizontal, and it operates in a similar manner to the conventional hi-hat assembly described above in that it opens and closes the two cymbals 42, 44 via a foot-operated pedal, but, crucially, instead of pushing or pulling a rod, the assembly operates by converting vertical linear movement (B) of the pressed and released foot plate 48 into rotational inertia (C) and then to horizontal linear movement (A) (via a lead screw mechanism to be described hereinafter), resulting in the cymbals 42, 44 opening and closing.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, the mounting assembly comprises an inner magnet 70 and a substantially concentric magnetic mounting base 72. In this exemplary embodiment, an adhesive gasket 74 (e.g. foam) and a rubber gasket 76 are provided between, and substantially concentric with, the inner magnet 70 and magnetic mounting base 72. In use, the inner magnet 70, held in place by the adhesive gasket 74, sits adjacent to the inner surface of the side wall of the cajon (as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings) to hold the rest of the mounting mechanism in place via magnetic coupling thereof with the magnetic mounting base 72 which sits immediately adjacent thereto on the opposing outer surface of the side wall of the cajon 50 with the rubber gasket 76 between the mounting base 72 and the outer surface of the cajon. The rubber gasket 76 isolates the sound of the cymbal assembly from the shell of the cajon, stops the assembly from moving or rotating during play, and prevents marking or other damage to the cajon wall by the cymbal assembly. The advantage of using magnets to mount the assembly is that the cajon can then still resonate freely as a whole, and at the same time retain its strength and structural integrity, as no holes need to be made in the walls thereof and the cajon does not need to be damaged in any way. Furthermore, the magnetic coupling makes it quick and easy to detach the cymbal assembly from the cajon for convenient transportation and storage.

Referring back to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, the mounting mechanism further comprises a pair of felt cymbal pads 78 and a cymbal retaining nut 80. The inner (static) cymbal (42, Figure 3) is mounted, in use, between the pads 78 and secured by the retaining nut 80, with a plastic cymbal isolator 84 being provided between the cymbal and the magnetic mounting base 72. A second pair of felt cymbal pads 79 and a second cymbal retaining nut 81 are provided, and the outer cymbal (44, Figure 3) is held between the two pads 79 and secured by the nut 81 to an axial lead screw post 86 having a flanged lead nut 87a. Thus, in use, the lead screw post 86 extends through the centre of both cymbals 42, 44. The operating pedal 76 is mounted, at the proximal end of the lever 47, to the mounting assembly. Finally, the tension spring 49 and the spring tension adjuster 49a are axially mounted at the outer end of the assembly. Pedal height and spring tension are both adjustable via the tension adjustment boss 49a by loosening the wing nut and rotating the boss in one direction to reduce pedal height and tension and in the opposite direction to increase pedal height and tension. Once the correct height and tension have been achieved, according to user preference, the wing nut can be tightened to fix the height and tension. The spring 49 is secured and prevented from rotational movement on its bosses by tangs, fitting tightly to an inner spring holder 87b and the adjustment boss 49a. The spring tension mechanism, along with the pedal and cymbal holder (87b, 79, 87a, 46, 49, 49a) are connected together as a single unit, utilising bolts 87c, such that disassembling the mechanism can be conveniently effected by loosening the wing nut and unscrewing the mechanism as a whole, leaving only the removal of the retaining nuts 80, 81 from their respective positions in order to release the cymbals 42, 44.

In use, and referring additionally to Figure 3 of the drawings, downward (vertical) pressure (B) on the foot pedal 48 causes the lever 47 to rotate (C) the lead screw post 86 about its longitudinal axis via corresponding rotation of the flanged lead nut 87a. Rotation of the lead screw post 86 causes horizontal linear movement (A) thereof toward the magnetic mounting base 72 (i.e. toward the side wall of the cajon, in use) as it rotates through the screw thread of the inner cymbal retaining nut 80. This linear movement of the lead screw post 86 causes corresponding linear movement of the outer cymbal retaining nut 81, pulling the outer cymbal 44 with it, and toward the inner cymbal 42, in use.

When the foot plate 48 is released, the tension spring 49, which normally biases the outer cymbal 44 away from the inner cymbal 42, causes the lever 47 to spring back to its resting position, causing rotation of the lead screw post 86 in the opposite direction and, therefore, causing linear movement thereof in the opposite direction, moving the outer cymbal 44 away from the inner cymbal 42.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art from the foregoing description that modifications and variations can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, in an alternative exemplary embodiment of the invention, the mounting assembly may omit the inner cymbal and the pedal assembly, thereby providing a mounting assembly for mounting a single cymbal to the side wall of a cajon, such that the plane of the cymbal is substantially parallel to, and spaced apart from, the plane of the side wall of the cajon. Once again, the proposed assembly would provide a cajon and cymbal assembly which has a relatively small footprint, and is easily disassembled for storage and transportation, which does not damage the cajon itself. Thus, referring to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, the alternative cymbal assembly would comprise an inner magnet 70 and a substantially concentric magnetic mounting base 72. In this exemplary embodiment, an adhesive gasket 74 (e.g. foam) and a rubber gasket 76 are provided between, and substantially concentric with, the inner magnet 70 and magnetic mounting base 72. In use, the inner magnet 70, held in place by the adhesive gasket 74, sits adjacent to the inner surface of the side wall of the cajon (as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings) to hold the rest of the mounting mechanism in place via magnetic coupling thereof with the magnetic mounting base 72 which sits immediately adjacent thereto on the opposing outer surface of the side wall of the cajon 50 with the rubber gasket 76 between the mounting base 72 and the outer surface of the cajon. The rubber gasket 76 isolates the sound of the cymbal assembly from the shell of the cajon, stops the assembly from moving or rotating during play, and prevents marking or other damage to the cajon wall by the cymbal assembly. The advantage of using magnets to mount the assembly, as explained above, is that the cajon can then still resonate freely as a whole, and at the same time retain its strength and structural integrity, as no holes need to be made in the walls thereof and the cajon does not need to be damaged in any way. Furthermore, the magnetic coupling makes it quick and easy to detach the cymbal assembly from the cajon for convenient transportation and storage.

In this exemplary embodiment, the first pair of felt cymbal pads 78, the first cymbal retaining nut 80, the inner cymbal (42, Figure 3) and the plastic cymbal isolator 84 are omitted, as is the axial lead screw post 86 and the flanged lead nut 87a. Instead, the pair of felt cymbal pads 79 and a second cymbal retaining nut 81 are provided, and the outer cymbal (44, Figure 3) is held between the two pads 79 and secured by the nut 81 to the magnetic mounting base 72. In use] when the cymbal assembly is mounted to the side wall of the cajon, the cymbal is fixed, and oriented such that its plane is substantially parallel to, and spaced apart from, the plane of the cajon side wall.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cymbal assembly comprising first and second opposing cymbals mounted substantially concentrically on a first axis, a cam mechanism communicably coupled to at least one of said cymbals, and an actuating mechanism communicably coupled to said cam mechanism and configured such that a linear force applied thereto along a second axis, substantially orthogonal to said first axis, causes rotation of said cam mechanism, wherein cam mechanism is configured such that rotation thereof causes linear movement of said at least on cymbal along said first axis.
2. A cymbal assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first cymbal is statically mounted and said second cymbal is mounted for linear movement relative thereto along said first axis.
3. A cymbal assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said cam mechanism comprises a rotational shaft which extends between said first and second opposing cymbals.
4. A cymbal assembly according to claim 3, wherein said rotational shaft is screw threaded along its length.
5. A cymbal assembly according to claim 4, wherein said second cymbal is mounted to said rotational shaft by means of a screw threaded nut.
6. A cymbal assembly according to claim 5, wherein said first cymbal is statically mounted within said assembly by means of a second screw threaded nut, said second screw threaded nut being configured to receive an end of said rotational shaft.
7. A cymbal assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said actuating mechanism comprises a lever communicably coupled to said cam mechanism, and a foot plate configured to receive a linear downward force, in use, so as to cause said lever to apply a rotational force to said cam mechanism.
8. A cymbal assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said cam mechanism comprises a rotational shaft, and said actuating mechanism comprises a lever communicably coupled to said rotational shaft and a pedal configured to receive a linear force, in use, said lever being mounted at or adjacent an end of said rotational shaft, and at an angle thereto, and said pedal extending from a distal end of said lever along an axis substantially parallel to said first axis, such that, in use, applying a linear downward force to said pedal causes said lever to rotate said shaft.
9. A cymbal assembly according to claim 8, comprising a tension spring communicably coupled between said actuating mechanism and said second cymbal and configured to bias said second cymbal away from said first cymbal.
10.A cymbal assembly according to claim 9, comprising a tension spring adjustment mechanism for adjusting the tension in said tension spring, so as to adjust the relative height of said pedal and/or the linear force required to be applied to said pedal in order to effect rotational movement of said cam mechanism.
11.A cymbal assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising a mounting mechanism for mounting said assembly to a surface.
12.A cymbal assembly according to claim 11, wherein said actuating mechanism is mounted at or adjacent to a first longitudinal end of the assembly, and said mounting mechanism comprises a first magnetic mounting member mounted at or adjacent to the opposite longitudinal end of said assembly.
13.A cymbal assembly according to claim 12, wherein said mounting mechanism further comprises a second magnetic mounting member, separate from said assembly, and configured for magnetic adhesion with said first magnetic mounting member such that, in use, the assembly can be mounted to a surface having opposing side walls by placing said first magnetic mounting member against an outer side wall and placing said second magnetic mounting member on the inner side wall, such that the first and second magnetic mounting members are magnetically coupled to hold the assembly against said surface.
14.A cymbal assembly substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 3 to 5 of the drawings.
15.A percussion instrument comprising a cymbal assembly according to any preceding claim, and a cajon, said cymbal assembly being removably mountable to a side wall of said cajon.
16.A percussion instrument comprising a cajon comprised of a generally box-shaped percussion instrument, having an upper surface, front and rear walls and first and second opposing side walls, said rear wall having an opening therein, the instrument further comprising at least one cymbal mounted on a side wall of said cajon such that the plane of said cymbal is substantially parallel to the plane of said side wall.
17.A percussion instrument according to claim 16, wherein said cymbal is substantially concentrically mounted on a mounting assembly comprising a first magnetic mounting member provided at or adjacent an end thereof, and a second magnetic mounting member, separate from said mounting assembly, being provided on the inner side wall of said cajon, immediately adjacent to said first magnetic mounting member, such that the first and second magnetic mounting members are magnetically coupled to hold the assembly against the outer surface of said side wall.
1B.A percussion instrument substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 3 to 5 of the drawings.
19. A cymbal assembly for a percussion instrument according to any of claims 15 to 18, comprising a first magnetic mounting member mounted or mountable at or adjacent to a distal end of said assembly, a cymbal being moujnted or mountable substantially concentrically with said first mounting member, and a second magnetic mounting member for positioning, in use, on the inner surface of said side wall of said cajon, immediately adjacent to said first magnetic mounting member, such that the first and second magnetic mounting members are magnetically coupled to hold the assembly against the outer surface of said side wall.