JP7208726B2 - drum playing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a drum playing system and a drum playing method.

Sets of percussion instruments have been developed that produce a wide variety of different sounds. A set of percussion instruments includes, for example, drums, cymbals, bells, cowbells, hi-hats, tambourines, wood blocks, and the like. Among drums, there is also a wide variety of different drums, such as kettle drums, steel drums, bongo drums, tom-toms, bass drums, tenor drums, snare drums, and the like. In order to add to the many sounds produced by these different percussion instruments, different techniques for striking or tapping the percussion instruments (eg, rim shots, etc.) have evolved to obtain different sounds from either instrument.

Traditionally, however, percussion instruments have been placed in fixed positions relative to the performer (ie, the percussionist). Since instruments take up space, there was also a limit to the total number of instruments that could form part of any one percussion set. Furthermore, the fixed position of each instrument limited the number of notes a percussion set could produce.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide a drum playing system and drum playing method capable of producing a wider range of sounds and rhythms. That is.

A drum playing system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a first percussion instrument and operably coupled to the first percussion instrument for moving the first percussion instrument along an axis between a retracted position and an inserted position. an insertion/retraction mechanism configured to move relative to the second percussion instrument, the insertion/retraction mechanism being operably coupled to a motor and the second percussion instrument between the retracted position and the inserted position; an input device configured to receive a motion command corresponding to moving the first percussion instrument relative to the percussion instrument and configured to generate a motion signal based on the motion command; / a feedback mechanism configured to obtain position information of the retraction mechanism and configured to generate a feedback signal representative of the position information; and a controller operably coupled to the input device, the motor, and the feedback mechanism, comprising: a controller configured to activate the motor based on the motion signal and the feedback signal, wherein the insertion position is a majority of the playing surface of the first percussion instrument and a majority of the playing surface of the second percussion instrument. corresponds to a position that faces or vertically overlaps the

Preferably, the drum playing system further includes a stand operably connected to the insertion/retraction mechanism and having a base.

More preferably, the insertion/retraction mechanism comprises a first arm having a percussion end adjacent to the first percussion instrument and a free end distal to the first percussion instrument; a percussion end adjacent to the first percussion instrument; a second arm having a distal free end of the first percussion instrument; operably coupled to a motor and at least one of the first arm and the second arm; a gear mechanism one of which moves the first percussion instrument between the inserted position and the retracted position.

More preferably, a motor is operatively connected to the linear actuator.

More preferably, the linear actuator includes a gear mechanism.

More preferably, the input device includes a touchpad configured to receive motion commands in the form of strikes from a drum stick, the first strike moving the first percussion instrument from the retracted position to the inserted position. One motion command and a subsequent strike correspond to a second motion command that moves the first percussion instrument from the insertion position to the storage position.

More preferably, the controller determines the direction and speed of rotation of the motor based on the operating signal and the feedback signal.

More preferably, the feedback mechanism includes magnets and sensors.

More preferably, the sensor is a Hall effect sensor.

More preferably, the first percussion instrument corresponds to the upstroke drums and the second percussion instrument corresponds to the downstroke drums.

More preferably, the input device comprises a touchpad configured to receive movement commands in the form of user or performer foot presses.

A method of playing a drum according to a second aspect of the present invention includes striking a pad with a beater or drumstick or pressing the pad with a foot to activate an insertion/retraction mechanism via a motor to move the drum from a retracted position. moving a first percussion instrument along an axis to an insertion position, the percussion instrument corresponding to an upstroke instrument being struck by a beater or drumstick in an upstroke or upward motion, and a second percussion instrument comprising: Corresponding to a downstroke instrument being struck by a beater or drumstick in a downstroke or downward motion, the insertion position being such that the playing surface of the upstroke instrument faces or is perpendicular to the playing surface of the downstroke instrument. a moving step corresponding to an overlapping position, wherein the retracted position corresponds to a position in which a majority of the playing surface of the instrument on the upstroke neither faces nor vertically overlaps the playing surface of the instrument on the downstroke; striking a second percussion instrument with a drumstick or beater in a downstroke motion and striking the first percussion instrument in an upstroke motion immediately after the downstroke motion.

The present invention provides a system for inserting and storing percussion instruments from a set of percussion instruments. Using this system, performers can create a wider range of sounds and rhythms. This is because it is available to the percussionist when he is playing different arrangements of percussion instruments that would otherwise not be available.

Further, for example, the system can be used to set the arrangement resulting from the beat of a drum striking a first drum downward and a second drum inserted above the first drum striking upward. be able to. In this way, the percussionist can double the amount of resulting drum beats. conventional beats resulting from hitting downwards and beats resulting from hitting upwards.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate examples of various systems, methods, etc. that illustrate various example embodiments of aspects of the present invention. It will be appreciated that component boundaries (eg, boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) shown in the figures represent one example of boundaries. One skilled in the art will recognize that one component may be designed as multiple components, or multiple components may be designed as one component. A component shown as an internal component of another component may also be implemented as an external component and vice versa. Additionally, components may not be drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary insertable percussion system in a retracted position. 2A is a top perspective view of the exemplary insertable percussion instrument system of FIG. 1 in an inserted position; FIG. 2B is a bottom perspective view of the exemplary insertable percussion instrument system of FIG. 1 in an inserted position; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary first arm of the insertable percussion instrument system of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary second arm of the insertable percussion instrument system of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a front view of an exemplary pedal for the insertable percussion system of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary pedal for the insertable percussion instrument system of FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a side view of an exemplary pedal for the insertable percussion instrument system of FIG. 1; FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of an exemplary pedal for the insertable percussion system of FIG. 1 showing the latching mechanism; FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary insertion/retraction mechanism; 10 is a top view of the exemplary insertion/retraction mechanism of FIG. 9 in the retracted position; FIG. 11 is a top view of the exemplary insertion/retraction mechanism of FIG. 9 in the insertion position; FIG. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an exemplary insertable percussion system in a retracted position. 13 is a perspective view of the insertable percussion instrument system of FIG. 12 in the inserted position; FIG. 14 is a side view of the insertable percussion system of FIG. 12 in the inserted position; FIG. 15 is a side view of the insertable percussion instrument system of FIG. 12 in a retracted position set at a non-horizontal angle; FIG. FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the exemplary insertable percussion instrument system of FIG. Figure 17 is a perspective view of the exemplary insertable percussion system of Figure 12 forming part of a drum or percussion set.

1, 2A and 2B show perspective views of an exemplary insertable percussion instrument system 1. FIG. System 1 includes a percussion instrument 3 . In the illustrated embodiment, the percussion instruments 3 correspond to drums. Depending on the embodiment, the percussion instrument 3 may correspond to a percussion instrument other than drums. The insertable percussion instrument system 1 also includes a stand 5 having a base or leg 5a for supporting the stand 5 on the floor F. The stand 5 generally supports the percussion instrument 3 vertically from the floor F.

The insertable percussion instrument system 1 also includes an insertion/retraction mechanism 7 coupled to the percussion instrument 3 and stand 5 . The system 1 also includes a pedal 9 positioned on the floor F at or near the base 5a of the stand 5 . A stand 5 vertically separates the percussion instrument 3 and the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 from the pedal 9 . The insertable percussion instrument system 1 also includes a cable 11 connecting the pedal 9 to the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 . Operating the pedal 9 up and down (ie, pressing and releasing) causes the pedal 9 to pull and loosen the cable 11, thereby causing the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 to move the percussion instrument 3 substantially horizontally.

When the pedal 9 is depressed, the pedal 9 pulls the cable 11 so that the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 moves the percussion instrument 3 substantially horizontally from the retracted position as shown in FIG. 1 to the inserted position as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Moving. When pedal 9 is released, pedal 9 loosens cable 11 so that insertion/retraction mechanism 7 returns percussion instrument 3 generally horizontally from the insertion position shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B to the storage position of FIG.

In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 1, 2A and 2B, the insertable percussion system 1 forms part of a drum or percussion set (not shown). In the percussion instrument set, the percussion instrument 3 may be inserted by operation of the pedal 9 so that the percussion instrument 3 is temporarily available for playing by the percussionist, as described above. For example, the percussion instrument 3 can be inserted over another instrument in the percussion set, making the percussion instrument 3 available to the percussionist to play in place of the other instrument 103 . Whenever the percussionist is ready to return to playing the other instrument 103, the percussionist removes or retracts the percussion instrument 3 by operating the pedals 9 so that the percussionist can return to playing the other instrument 103. can be made available.

In one embodiment, the insertable percussion instrument system 1 shown in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B is struck with a downstroke or downward motion of a beater or drumstick 60 as shown in FIG. 2A. It forms part of a drum set or percussion set (not shown) that includes another percussion instrument 103 that is intended to be played. In this embodiment, the percussion instrument 3 may be intended to be played by being struck with an upstroke or upward movement of a beater or drum stick 60, as shown in Figure 2B. In this setup, the percussion instrument 3 is inserted over the downstroke percussion instrument 103 and is played on the upstroke in combination with the downstroke percussion instrument 103 so that the percussion instrument 3 can be made available to the percussionist. By operating the pedal 9, the percussion instrument 3 can be moved horizontally to an insertion position above the percussion instrument 103 on the downstroke.

In some embodiments, the roles are reversed. That is, the percussion instrument 3 is intended to be played by being struck with the downstroke or downward movement of the beater or drumstick, and the percussion instrument 3 is inserted below or below the percussion instrument on the upstroke.

The percussionist may hit the downstroke percussion instrument 103 with a downstroke motion, followed by (ie, immediately after) the upstroke percussion instrument with an upstroke motion. In this way, the percussionist can double the amount of resulting drum beats. a conventional beat resulting from hitting downwards and a beat resulting from hitting the percussion instrument 3 upwards. Whenever the percussionist is ready to finish playing in this upstroke/downstroke mode, the percussionist can remove or retract the percussion instrument 3 by operating the pedal 9 .

In the upstroke/downstroke embodiment described above, the insertion position of the insertable percussion instrument system 1 is such that the majority of the drum playing surface (e.g., the head of the percussion instrument 3) on the upstroke is the playing surface of the drum 103 on the downstroke. It may correspond to a position that faces most of the surface or overlaps vertically. On the other hand, the stowed position of the insertable percussion system 1 is such that the majority of the upstroke drum playing surface (e.g., the head of the percussion instrument 3) does not face the majority of the downstroke drum 103 playing surface. Or they may correspond to positions that do not overlap vertically.

In the illustrated embodiment, the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 includes a first arm 13 and a second arm 15 .

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an exemplary first arm 13. FIG. The first arm 13 includes a percussion end 13a that operably and rotatably couples to the percussion instrument 3 as shown in Figures 1, 2A and 2B. The first arm 13 also includes a joint end 13b distal to the percussion instrument 3 . Joint end 13 b is operably and rotatably connected to second arm 15 .

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an exemplary second arm 15. FIG. A second arm 15 includes a stand end 15a that operatively and rotatably couples to stand 5 . The second arm 15 also includes a joint end 15b that is distal to the stand 5 and operably and rotatably coupled to the joint end 13b of the first arm 13 . Second arm 15 also includes a tensioning point 15 c where second arm 15 can be operatively connected to cable 11 .

Pulling cable 11 by actuation of pedal 9 causes second arm 15 to rotate about stand end 15a and joint end 15b, first arm 13 to rotate about joint end 13b, and It causes the percussion end 13a to effectively stretch the insertion/retraction mechanism 7, thereby moving the percussion instrument 3 horizontally away from the stand 5 to the insertion position.

By loosening the cable 11 by operating the pedal 9, the second arm 15 is rotated about the stand end 15a and the joint end 15b in the opposite direction of insertion and the first arm 13 is moved to the joint end. 13b and effectively retracts the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 into the percussion end 13a, thereby moving the percussion instrument 3 horizontally toward the stand 5 in the retracted position.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, the insertable percussion system 1 comprises two first arms 13 each having a percussion end 13a proximate the percussion instrument 3 and a distal end of the percussion instrument 3. includes a joint end 13b at . In this embodiment, the insertable percussion instrument system 1 also includes two second arms 15 each having a stand end 15a proximate the stand 5 and a joint end 15b distal to the stand 5. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, each joint end 13b of the first arm is rotatably coupled to each joint end 15b of the second arm, and each first arm 13 rotates around and around the percussion end 13a. Rotatable about its joint end 13b, each second arm 15 is rotatable about its stand end 15a and about its joint end 15b to extend the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 to the insertion position. or retract to the stowed position.

In one embodiment (not shown), the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 includes a spring configured therein to bias the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 toward retraction (i.e., to the retracted position). . In this embodiment, by pulling the cable 11 by operating the pedal 9, the tensile force of the spring extending the spring is overcome, causing the second arm 15 to rotate about the stand end 15a and the joint end 15b, and the first arm 15 to rotate. arm 13 rotates about joint end 13b and percussion end 13a to effectively stretch insertion/retraction mechanism 7 and move percussion instrument 3 horizontally away from stand 5 to the insertion position. By loosening the cable 11 by actuation of the pedal 9, the tension of the extended spring allows the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 to retract into the retracted position, thereby moving the percussion instrument 3 horizontally towards the stand 5. be done.

5-7 show front, perspective and side views, respectively, of an exemplary pedal 9 for the insertable percussion system 1. FIG. The pedal 9 may include a foot platform 17 rotatably connected to the base 19 at a rotational position 19a. The foot platform 17 receives the feet or shoes of the person playing the insertable percussion system 1 . The pedal 9 may also include a riser 21 in which may be mounted a rod 23 and cable wheels 25 and 27 rotating around the rod 23 . Cable wheel 27 is connected to foot platform 17 by cable 29 . Cable wheel 25 connects to cable 11, which in turn connects to insertion/retraction mechanism 7, as described above.

By pressing down on the insertable percussion instrument system 1 by the player's foot or shoe, the foot platform 17 is rotated about the rotational position 19a. This rotation pulls cable 29 which effectively also rotates rod 23 and cable wheel 25, thereby pulling cable 11 and extending insertion/retraction mechanism 7 into the insertion position.

By releasing the insertable percussion instrument system 1 by the player's foot or shoe, the foot platform 17 rotates about the rotational position 19a in the opposite direction of insertion. This opposite rotation loosens cable 29 which effectively also rotates rod 23 and cable wheel 25, thereby loosening cable 11 and retracting insertion/retraction mechanism 7 in the retracted position.

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of an exemplary pedal 9. FIG. Specifically, FIG. 8 shows the locking or latching mechanism of foot platform 17 while depressed. While depressed, the player or percussionist moves the foot platform 17 sideways or laterally to engage the latching tab 31 connected to the foot platform 17 with the latching bracket 33 connected to the riser 21 . can be combined. This effectively locks the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 in the insertion position.

When the player or percussionist wishes to store the percussion instrument 3 in the retracted position, the player or percussionist moves the foot platform 17 in a lateral or lateral direction opposite to when it was engaged to release the latching tabs 31. It can be disengaged from the latching bracket 33 . A player or percussionist can remove their foot or shoe from the foot platform 17 and retract the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 to the retracted position.

9-11 show a second embodiment of an insertion/retraction mechanism 7 for the insertable percussion instrument system 1. FIG. In the embodiment of Figure 9, the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 includes a first arm 13 and a second arm 15, which are similar to the first arm 13 and second arm 15 of the first embodiment. be. However, in this second embodiment the first arm 13 and the second arm 15 are crossed so that the insertion and retraction of the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 has a scissoring effect.

The first arm 13 includes a percussion instrument end 13a that operatively and rotatably couples to the percussion instrument 3 . In the illustrated embodiment, the exemplary insertable percussion instrument system 1 includes a slide bracket 35 that operatively and rotatably couples the percussion instrument end 13a to the percussion instrument 3 . The first arm 13 also includes a joint end 13b distal to the percussion instrument 3 . Joint end 13 b is operably and rotatably connected to second arm 15 .

A second arm 15 includes a stand end 15a that operatively and rotatably couples to stand 5 . In the illustrated embodiment, the exemplary insertable percussion instrument system 1 includes a slide bracket 37 that operatively and rotatably couples the stand end 15a to the stand 5. As shown in FIG. The stand end 15 a of the second arm 15 may be connected to the cable 11 . The second arm 15 also includes a joint end 15b that is distal to the stand 5 and operably and rotatably coupled to the joint end 13b of the first arm 13 .

9-11, the insertable percussion system 1 each comprises a percussion end 13a adjacent to the percussion 3, a joint end 13b distal to the percussion 3, and a joint location 13c. It includes two first arms 13 with In this embodiment, the insertable percussion instrument system 1 also includes two secondary percussion instruments each having a stand end 15a adjacent to the stand 5, a joint end 15b distal to the stand 5, and a joint location 15c. includes arm 15 of . In this embodiment, each joint end 13b of the first arm 13 is rotatably coupled to each joint end 15b of the second arm, and each joint location 13c of the first arm 13 is connected to the other. Each of the joint positions 15c of the second arms 15 is operably and rotatably coupled to the joint positions 13c of the first arms 13 and the joint positions 15c of the other second arms 15. concatenated. Each first arm 13 is rotatable around its percussion end 13a, its joint end 13b and its joint position 13c. each of the second arms 15 is rotatable about its stand end 15a, its joint end 15b and its joint position 15c to extend the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 into the insertion position; or retracting the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 to the retracted position.

Pulling the cable 11 by actuation of the pedal 9 causes the second arm 15 to rotate about the stand end 15a, about the joint end 15b and about the joint position 15c. This causes the first arm 13 to rotate about the joint end 13b, about the percussion end 13a, and about the joint position 13c, effectively stretching the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 and placing the percussion instrument 3 in the stand. Move horizontally away from 5 to insertion position.

By loosening the cable 11 by operating the pedal 9, the second arm 15 is rotated about the stand end 15a, about the joint end 15b and about the joint position 15c in the opposite direction of insertion. This causes the first arm 13 to rotate about the joint end 13b, about the percussion end 13a, and about the joint position 13c, effectively retracting the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 and placing the percussion instrument 3 in the stand. Move horizontally to the stowed position toward 5.

In one embodiment (not shown), the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 includes a spring configured therein to bias the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 toward retraction (i.e., to the retracted position). . In this embodiment, the force pulling on the cable 11 due to actuation of the pedal 9 overcomes the pulling force of the spring extending the spring, thereby moving the second arm 15 around the stand end 15a, around the joint end 15b, and rotate around the joining position 15c. This rotates the first arm 13 about the joint end 13b, about the percussion end 13a, and about the joint position 13c, effectively stretching the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 and placing the percussion instrument 3 on the stand 5. move horizontally to the insertion position away from the By loosening the cable 11 by actuation of the pedal 9, the tension of the extended spring allows the insertion/retraction mechanism 7 to retract into the retracted position, thereby moving the percussion instrument 3 horizontally towards the stand 5. be done.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an exemplary insertable percussion system 100 in a retracted position. 13 and 14 are perspective and side views of the insertable percussion instrument system 100 of FIG. 12 in the inserted position. System 100 may include percussion instrument 3 , insertion/retraction mechanism 105 and stand 113 .

Insertion/retraction mechanism 105 may include base 110 , first arm 121 and second arm 123 . Base 110 operably couples first arm 121 and second arm 123 to stand 113 . The first arm 121 and the second arm 123 have percussion ends 121 a and 123 a proximal to the percussion instrument 3 and free ends 121 b and 123 b distal to the percussion instrument 3 . The percussion instrument ends 121 a and 123 a may be coupled to a retaining element 115 , such as a U-shaped metal or plastic rod, which is attached to the side of the percussion instrument 3 . A retaining element 115 couples the percussion instrument 3 to the insertion/retraction mechanism 105 . The first arm 121 and the second arm 123 can also slide in the direction indicated by arrow A via bushing elements 117a to 117d of the base 110. As shown in FIG.

Insertion/retraction mechanism 105 may include input device 125 , motor 127 , gear mechanism 131 and feedback mechanism 133 .

Input device 125 may include one or more switching elements (eg, touch pads) 125 a and 125 b for receiving operational commands and generating operational signals to activate insertion/retraction mechanism 105 . For example, hitting switching element 125a (with a beater or drumstick) corresponds to an instruction to insert percussion instrument 3, while hitting switching element 125b (with a beater or drumstick) corresponds to an instruction to retract percussion instrument 3. You may do so. In another example, striking switching element 125a once (with a beater or drumstick) corresponds to the command to insert percussion instrument 3, and striking switching element 125a a second time (with a beater or drumstick) activates percussion instrument 3. Corresponds to the store instruction. In yet another example, the input device may be placed in close proximity to the floor F so that the user or performer receives motion commands in the form of stepping on one or more switching elements with his/her foot.

Insertion/retraction mechanism 105 may also include controller 137 . The controller 137 can receive motion signals from the input device 125 and use the feedback mechanism 133 to determine the current position of the percussion instrument 3 .

Feedback mechanism 133 may include Hall effect sensors 133 a and 133 b located on base 110 and a permanent magnet 133 c located on first arm 121 . A feedback mechanism 133 determines the position of the first arm 121 along its movement relative to the base 110 and thereby the position of the percussion instrument 3 . For example, when the permanent magnet 133c is aligned with the Hall effect sensor 133b, the percussion instrument 3 will be, for example, 5 cm to 10 cm proximal to the retracted position. See Figure 1. On the other hand, when the permanent magnet 133c is aligned with the Hall effect sensor 133a, the percussion instrument 3 will be, for example, 5 cm to 10 cm proximal to the insertion position. See Figures 2A and 2B. Sensors 133a and 133b generate feedback signals corresponding to whether percussion instrument 3 is in the inserted position, the retracted position, or anywhere in between. Controller 137 generates a command signal based on the operating signal and the feedback signal. For example, controller 137 stops motor 127 if percussion instrument 3 is in the inserted or retracted position. Otherwise, if the feedback mechanism 133 detects that the percussion instrument is merely near the inserted or retracted position, the controller 137 slows the motor 127 so that the percussion instrument 3 is in the inserted or retracted position. When reached, it will eventually stop the motor.

Controller 137 may be a microcontroller PIC12F683 manufactured by Microchip Technology Inc. of Independence, Ohio. However, controller 137 may comprise any type of controller sufficient to receive and generate the signals described above. Hall effect sensors 133a and 133b may be micropower ultrasensitive Hall effect switches manufactured by Allegro MicroSystems, LLC of Wallester, Massachusetts. However, Hall effect sensors 133a and 133b may be any type of Hall effect sensor sufficient to detect permanent magnet 133c and produce the signals described above. In any case, feedback mechanism 133 may include any other type of sensor suitable for detecting relative position information.

The stand 113 supports and holds the percussion instrument 3 and the insertion/retraction mechanism 105 vertically off the floor F. Stand 113 may include locking element 113 a that couples to insertion/retraction mechanism 105 . Stand 113 may also include joint 113b, base 113c and latch 113d. Joint 113b allows the insertion/retraction mechanism 105 and percussion instrument 3 to be adjusted and set at different angles than horizontal, allowing system 100 to be folded for storage. See FIG. Thus, the insertion/retraction mechanism 105 can insert and retract the percussion instrument 3 along an axis other than horizontal. Stand 113 may also be telescoping for height adjustment. Latch 133d is used to fix the height of stand 113. FIG.

Gear mechanism 131 includes rack 131a and pinion 131b. A shaft (not shown) of motor 127 is operatively coupled to pinion 131b of gear mechanism 131, thereby actuating pinion 131b to rotate in the direction of arrow A in a direction that causes linear motion of rack 131a. The motor 127 receives the command signal and operates the gear mechanism 131 . Rack 131a is secured to first arm 121 (or second arm 123) of insertion/retraction mechanism 105 such that first arm 121 engages bushings 117b and 117c when rack 131a pushes or pulls percussion instrument 3. slide through. A second arm 123 moves in unison with the first arm.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the base 110, gear mechanism 131 and stand 113 with the percussion instrument 3 in the retracted position. A shaft (not shown) of motor 127 may be operably coupled to pinion 131b such that pinion 131b rotates to linearly actuate rack 131a. For example, the controller may cause the motor 127 to rotate in a direction such that the pinion 131b is actuated to rotate counterclockwise as indicated by arrow "B". This causes the pinion to linearly actuate the rack 131a as indicated by arrow "C". As the rack 131a moves, the first and second arms 121 and 123 slide in the same direction, moving the percussion instrument from the retracted position to the inserted position. Reverse movement of the motor 127 actuates the gear mechanism 131 in the reverse direction, returning the percussion instrument 3 from the inserted position to the retracted position.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the exemplary insertable percussion system 100 of FIG. 12 forming part of a drum or percussion set. In this percussion instrument set, the percussion instrument 3 may be inserted by operation of the motor 127 as described above for temporary use by the percussionist. For example, if the percussion instrument 3 is inserted above the second percussion instrument 103 of the percussion set, the percussionist can use the percussion instrument 3 in addition to the second percussion instrument 103 . The insertion position corresponds to a position where most of the playing surface of the first percussion instrument 3 faces or vertically overlaps most of the playing surface of the second percussion instrument 103 . Such a percussion instrument set takes up less space to play, and can increase the variety of sounds played, thereby increasing the enjoyment of playing and listening to the performance of the percussion instrument set. As another example, the second percussion instrument 103 may be replaced with another type of instrument. Whenever the percussionist wishes to play only another instrument, the operation of the motor 127 allows the percussion instrument 3 to be removed or retracted so that the other instrument is available to the percussionist.

The term "percussion instrument" as used herein generally refers to musical instruments and their electronic equivalents that produce sound by striking the instrument with hands, beaters, sticks, and the like. Examples of percussion instruments include drums, cymbals, bells, cowbells, hi-hats, tambourines, wood blocks, kettle drums, steel drums, bongo drums, tom-toms, bass drums, tenor drums, snare drums, and the like. The term "drum" as used herein means any type of percussion instrument or electronic equivalent thereof having at least one elongated membrane that produces sound by acoustic vibration when the elongated membrane is struck. Corresponds to an object (eg, an electronic drum pad).

Although exemplary systems, methods, etc. have been illustrated by describing examples, and examples have been described in considerable detail, such details are not intended to constrain or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims. . Of course, it is impossible to describe every possible combination of components or methodologies for the purposes of describing the systems, methods, etc. described herein. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. Thus, the application is intended to cover alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. Also, the preceding description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

To the extent the term "in" or "into" is used in the specification or claims, it is additionally intended to mean "on" or "onto." Furthermore, to the extent that the term "connect" is used in the specification or claims, it is not only "directly connected" but also connected via another component, etc. It is also intended to mean "indirectly linked". An "operable connection" or a connection in which an entity is "operably linked" is that the entity to which it is operably linked or an operable linkage performs its intended purpose. For example, two entities may be operably linked to each other either directly or through one or more intermediate entities.

To the extent that the term "comprising" or "comprising" is used in the Detailed Description or in a claim, when used as a transitional term in a claim, that term is interpreted to mean " In the same sense as the term "comprising", it is intended to be inclusive. Furthermore, to the extent that the term "or" is used in the description or claims (e.g., A or B), it is intended to mean "A or B or both." do. Where applicant intends to express "only A or B but not both", the term "only A or B but not both" is used. As such, use of the term "or" in the specification is the inclusive and not the exclusive use. Bryan A. See Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (3D. Ed. 1995).

1, 100 percussion instrument system 3 percussion instrument 5, 113 stand 7, 105 insertion/retraction mechanism 9 pedals 11, 29 cables 13, 121 first arm 15, 123 second arm 17 foot platform 19 base 21 riser 23 rod 25, 27 cable wheel 31 latching tab 33 latching bracket 35, 37 slide bracket 60 drumstick 103 musical instrument, percussion, drum 110 base 115 holding element 117a-117d bushing element 125 input device 125a, 125b switching element 127 motor 131 gear mechanism 133 feedback mechanism 133a , 133b Hall effect sensor 137 controller

Claims (11)

a first percussion instrument;
an insertion/retraction mechanism operably coupled to said first percussion instrument and configured to move said first percussion instrument relative to a second percussion instrument along an axis between a retracted position and an inserted position; wherein the insertion/retraction mechanism comprises:
a motor;
operably coupled to the motor and configured to receive motion instructions corresponding to moving the first percussion instrument relative to the second percussion instrument between the retracted position and the inserted position; an input device configured to generate an operating signal based on an instruction;
a feedback mechanism operably coupled to the motor and configured to obtain positional information of the insertion/retraction mechanism and configured to generate a feedback signal representative of the positional information;
a controller operably coupled to the input device, the motor, and the feedback mechanism, the controller configured to activate the motor based on the operating signal and the feedback signal;
A drum playing system, wherein the insertion position corresponds to a position where a majority of the playing surface of the first percussion instrument faces or overlaps a majority of the playing surface of the second percussion instrument. 3. The drum playing system of claim 1, further comprising a stand operably coupled to the insertion/retraction mechanism and having a base. the insertion/retraction mechanism comprising:
a first arm having a percussion end adjacent the first percussion instrument and a free end distal to the first percussion instrument;
a second arm having a percussion end adjacent the first percussion instrument and a free end distal to the first percussion instrument;
operatively connected to the motor and at least one of the first arm and the second arm, the at least one of the first arm and the second arm being between the inserted position and the retracted position; 2. The drum playing system of claim 1, further comprising a gear mechanism adapted to move the first percussion instrument at. 2. The drum playing system of claim 1, wherein the motor is operably connected to a linear actuator. 5. The drum playing system of Claim 4, wherein the linear actuator comprises a gear mechanism. The input device includes a touchpad configured to receive the motion command in the form of a hit from a drum stick, a first hit moving the first percussion instrument from the retracted position to the inserted position. 2. The drum playing system of claim 1, wherein a subsequent strike corresponds to a second motion command that moves said first percussion instrument from said inserted position to said retracted position. 7. The drum playing system of claim 6, wherein the controller determines the direction and speed of rotation of the motor based on the operating signal and the feedback signal. 3. The drum playing system of claim 1, wherein the feedback mechanism includes magnets and sensors. 9. The drum playing system of claim 8, wherein the sensor is a Hall effect sensor. 2. The drum playing system of claim 1, wherein the first percussion instrument corresponds to upstroke drums and the second percussion instrument corresponds to downstroke drums. 2. The drum playing system of claim 1, wherein the input device comprises a touch pad configured to receive the movement commands in the form of user's or player's foot presses.

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