WO2014138884A1

WO2014138884A1 - Drum mallet

Info

Publication number: WO2014138884A1
Application number: PCT/CA2014/000210
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tyler FRY
Original assignee: Fry Tyler
Priority date: 2013-03-14
Filing date: 2014-03-13
Publication date: 2014-09-18
Also published as: CA2845642A1; AU2014231705A1; CA2948031A1; AU2014231705B2; GB201516304D0; GB2525829A; GB2525829B; NZ711975A

Abstract

A drum mallet is for use with a tenor drum or a bass drum. The drum mallet comprises an elongate main body having a top end and a bottom end, a handle portion extending from the bottom end towards the top end, and a mallet-head-receiving portion extending from the top end towards the bottom end; a mallet head mounted on the mallet-head- receiving portion of the elongate main body. A stop member is disposed at the bottom end of the handle portion of the elongate main body. The stop member has a top-facing abutment surface for receiving in abutting relation a portion of a flourish cord tied onto the elongate main body; wherein the top-facing abutment surface is distinctly angled with respect to the remainder of the outer surface of the stop member. A mallet head abutment member projects generally radially outwardly from said elongate main body. A mallet-head-receiving portion has a top end and a bottom end adjoined to said elongate main body, and has an enlarged portion with a top opening leading to a substantially hollow interior generally defined by a peripheral outer wall. The ratio of maximum thickness of the peripheral outer wall to the diameter of the enlarged portion is less than about 1 :5.

Description

DRUM MALLET

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Musical bands, such as bagpipe bands, commonly have various types of drums played during musical performances. Specific kinds of drum mallets are used to play the tenor drums and bass drums in such bands.

[0002] The present invention relates to drum mallets, and more particularly relates to drum mallets for use with tenor drums and bass drums played in bands having a tenor drum section and a bass drum, such as a bagpipe band.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] One of the most popular tenor drum mallets in the prior art is known as the

TyFry™ Platinum tenor drum mallet, was developed by the present inventor, and is produced and marketed by TyFryxM Limited, of Houston, Texas, and of Tiverton, Canada. The TyFry_TM Platinum tenor drum mallet comprises an elongate main body having a handle portion and a mallet-head-receiving portion. A stop member is disposed at the bottom end of the handle portion to help preclude the tenor drum mallet from slipping out of a user's hand. The mallet head receiving portion is disposed at the top end of the elongate main body and comprises a semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion. A polyurethane mallet head is mounted over the

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RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91.1) mallet-head-receiving portion and is secured thereto by means of a suitable adhesive. A flourish cord is tied around the elongate main body for engagement with the hand of the user.

[0004] While the TyFry™ Platinum tenor drum mallet has been found to be excellent and has gained wide market acceptance, it has been found that enhancements are indeed possible. Further, it has been found that this type of mallet is generally suitable for use with bass drums to create certain specific sounds, and would be even more suitable with adaptation of specific features.

[0005] More specifically, the shape of the mallet-head-receiving portion could be revamped to improve the swing characteristics of the tenor drum mallet. The shape of the stop member at the bottom end of the elongate main body, specifically at the bottom end of the handle portion, could be refined to preclude the flourish cord from riding up and over the stop member at the bottom end of the handle portion. Further, it has been found that through use, that the polyurethane mallet head can push down slightly on the elongate main body, which changes the swinging characteristics of the tenor drum mallet.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a drum mallet for use with a tenor drum or a bass drum, which drum mallet has excellent swing characteristics.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a drum mallet for use with a tenor drum or a bass drum, which drum mallet has excellent sound characteristics.

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RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91.1) 1.0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a drum mallet for use with a tenor drum or a bass drum, which drum mallet helps preclude the flourish cord from riding over the stop member at the bottom end of the handle portion of the main body.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a drum mallet for use with a tenor drum or a bass drum, which drum mallet helps preclude the mallet head from moving downwardly along the elongate main body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[00010] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel drum mallet for use with a tenor drum or a bass drum, the drum mallet comprising an elongate main body having a top end and a bottom end, a handle portion extending from the bottom end towards the top end, and a mallet-head-receiving portion extending from the top end towards the bottom end; a mallet head mounted on the mallet-head-receiving portion of the elongate main body; a stop member disposed at the bottom end of the handle portion of the elongate main body; wherein the stop member has a top-facing abutment surface for receiving in abutting relation a portion of a flourish cord tied onto the elongate main body; wherein the top-facing abutment surface is distinctly angled with respect to the remainder of the outer surface of the stop member.

[00011] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel drum mallet for use with a tenor drum or a bass drum, the tenor drum mallet comprising

RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91.1) an elongate main body having a top end and a bottom end, a handle portion extending from said bottom end towards said top end, and a mallet-head-receiving portion extending from said top end towards said bottom end; a mallet head abutment member projecting generally radially outwardly from the elongate main body, and dividing the elongate main body into the handle portion extending between the mallet head abutment member and the bottom end of the elongate main body, and the mallet-head-receiving portion extending between the mallet head abutment member and the top end of the elongate main body; and a mallet head mounted on the mallet-head-receiving portion of the elongate main body.

[00012] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel drum mallet for use with a tenor drum or a bass drum, the drum mallet comprising an elongate main body having a top end and a bottom end, a handle portion extending from said bottom end towards said top end, and a mallet-head-receiving portion extending from said top end towards said bottom end; wherein said mallet-head-receiving portion is semi-spherically shaped, having a truncated top end and a bottom end adjoined to said elongate main body; wherein said mallet-head-receiving portion has a top opening leading to a substantially hollow interior generally defined by a peripheral outer wall; wherein the ratio of maximum thickness of said peripheral outer wall to the diameter of said semi-spherically shaped mallet-head-receiving portion is less than about 1 :5; and a mallet head mounted on said mallet-head-receiving portion of said elongate main body.

[00013] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon

RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91.1) consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described herein below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0001 ] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the drum mallet for use with a tenor drum or a bass drum therefor according to the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently known first illustrated embodiment and second illustrated embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[00015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first illustrated embodiment of the drum mallet according to the present invention;

[00016] Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the first illustrated embodiment drum mallet of Figure 1 ;

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RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91.1) 11)0017] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the first illustrated embodiment drum mallet of Figure 1 , with the cloth head-cover removed to make the polyurethane mallet head visible, and with the flourish cord removed;

[00018] Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the first illustrated embodiment drum mallet of Figure 1 , with the cloth head-cover removed to make the polyurethane mallet head visible, and with the flourish cord removed;

[00019] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the elongate main body of the first illustrated embodiment drum mallet of Figure 1 , with the cloth head-cover removed with the polyurethane mallet head removed, and with the flourish cord removed from the drum mallet;

[00020] Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the elongate main body of Figure 5;

[00021] Figure 7 is a top end view of the elongate main body of Figure 5;

[00022] Figure 8A is an enlarged side elevational of a portion of the top end of the elongate main body of Figure 5;

[00023] Figure 8B is an enlarged side elevational of a portion of the top end of the elongate main body of Figure 5, showing the hollow interior in dashed lining;

[00024] Figure 9 is an enlarged side elevational of a portion of the top end of the elongate main body of Figure 5;

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RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91.1) [00025] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a second illustrated embodiment of the drum mallet according to the present invention;

[00026] Figure 11 is a side elevational view of the second illustrated embodiment drum mallet of Figure 10, with the flourish cord removed;

[00027] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the elongate main body of the second illustrated embodiment drum mallet of Figure 10, with the cloth head-cover removed with the polyurethane mallet head removed, and with the flourish cord removed from the drum mallet; and,

[00028] Figure 13 is a side elevational view of the elongate main body of Figure 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[00029] Referring to Figures 1 through 13 of the drawings, it will be noted that Figures 1 through 9 illustrate a first embodiment of the drum mallet according to the present invention, and Figures 10 through 13 illustrate a second embodiment of the drum mallet according to the present invention.

[00030] Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 9, which show a first illustrated embodiment of the drum mallet, as indicated by the general reference numeral 100, for use with a tenor drum or a bass drum (not specifically shown) and according to the present invention. More specifically, the drum mallet is for use with a drum, such as a tenor drum or a bass drum,

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RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91.1) such as might be played in a bagpipe band, or a marching band, or other types of bands having a tenor drum section and/or a bass drum. In brief, the first illustrated embodiment of the present invention comprises a drum mallet 100 for use with a tenor drum or a bass drum, and comprises an elongate main body 110 having a top end 112 and a bottom end 114, a handle portion 116 extended from the bottom end 114 towards the top end 112, and a mallet-head-receiving portion 130 extending from the top end 112 towards the bottom end 114. A flourish cord 118 is tied around the elongate main body 110 for engagement with the hand of a user.

[00031] A stop member 140 is disposed at the bottom end 114 of the elongate main body 1 0, which is also the bottom end of the of the handle portion 116. Preferably, the stop member 140 is generally semi-spherical in shape. The stop member 140 has a top-facing abutment surface 142 for receiving in abutting relation a portion of a flourish cord 118 tied onto the elongate main body 110. The top-facing abutment surface 142 is distinctly angled with respect to the remainder of the outer surface of the stop member 140, and is preferably substantially flat, and preferably facing the top end of the elongate main body 110. The top-facing abutment surface 142 also defines a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the length of the elongate main body 110. Accordingly the top-facing abutment surface 142 helps preclude the flourish cord 118 from riding over the stop member 140 at the bottom end of the handle portion 116 of the elongate main body 110.

[00032] A mallet head abutment member 150 projects generally radially outwardly from the elongate main body 110, and divides the elongate main body 110 into the handle portion 116 extending between the mallet head abutment member 150 and the bottom end of the elongate main body 110, and the mallet-head-receiving portion 130 extending between the

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RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91.1) mallet head abutment member 150 and the top end of the elongate main body 110. Preferably, the mallet head abutment member 150 is disc-shaped and is substantially circular.

[00033] A mallet head 160 having a cylindrical throughpassage 162 is preferably made from a suitable polyurethane compound and is mounted over the mallet-head-receiving portion 130 and is secured thereto by means of a suitable adhesive. The mallet-head-receiving portion

130 is inserted into the cylindrical throughpassage 162 in the mallet head 160. A conventional "furry" type cloth head-cover 164 is tied tightly in place over the readily compressible mallet head 160, to thereby cover the mallet head 160 and to compress the mallet head 160 slightly. Preferably, the mallet head 160 is substantially circular in a direction extending radially outwardly from the elongate main body 110, and has a diameter defined by the circular shape and a height defined by the maximum dimension along the elongate main body 110. A suitable range for the ratio of the diameter "D" of the mallet head 160 to the height Ή" of the mallet head 160 is between about 1.9:1 and about 2.0:1, in an uncompressed state. It has been found that it is preferable to have the ratio of the diameter "D" of the mallet head 160 to the height "H" of the mallet head 160, in an uncompressed state, of about 1.95:1 , in an uncompressed state. It has been found that a diameter "D" of about 8.2 centimetres and a height Ή" of about 4.2 centimetres, in an uncompressed state, works well.

[00034] As can be best seen in Figures 5, 6, 8A and 8B, the mallet-head-receiving portion 130 has a truncated top end 132 and a bottom end 134 adjoined to the mallet head abutment member 150. The mallet-head-receiving portion 130 comprises an enlarged portion

131 and a neck portion 133. The enlarged portion 131 is semi-spherically shaped, and defines the truncated top end 132 of the mallet-head-receiving portion 130. Further, the enlarged portion

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RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91.1) π 31 of the mallet-head-receiving portion 130 has a top opening 136 leading to a substantially hollow interior 138 generally defined by a peripheral outer wall 139. The ratio of maximum thickness of the peripheral outer wall 139 to the diameter of the semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion 131 of the mallet-head-receiving portion 130 is less than about 1 :5. Preferably, the truncated top end 132 is generally flat.

[00035] The ratio of the diameter of the top opening 136 of the semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion 131 of the mallet-head-receiving portion 130 to the diameter of the semi- spherically shaped enlarged portion 131 of the mallet-head-receiving portion 130 is between about 21 :28 and 23:28, and preferably about 22:28. The ratio of the maximum thickness of the peripheral outer wall 139 of the semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion 131 of the mallet- head-receiving portion 130 to the diameter of the semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion 131 of the shaped mallet-head-receiving portion 130 is between about 2:28 and 4:28, and preferably the ratio of the maximum thickness of the peripheral outer wall 139 of the mallet-head-receiving portion 130 to the diameter of the semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion 131 of the shaped mallet-head-receiving portion 130 is about 22:28.

[00036] Reference will now be made to Figures 10 through 13, which show a second illustrated embodiment of the drum mallet, as indicated by the general reference numeral 200, for use with a drum or a bass drum (not specifically shown) and according to the present invention. In brief, the second illustrated embodiment of the present invention comprises a drum mallet 200 for use with a drum, as is typically played in bagpipe band, or other types of bands having a drum section. The second illustrated embodiment drum mallet 200 is similar to the first illustrated embodiment drum mallet 100 and comprises an elongate main body 210

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RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91.1) having a top end 212 and a bottom end 214, a handle portion 216 extended from the bottom end 214 towards the top end 212, and a mallet-head-receiving portion 230 extending from the top end 232 towards the bottom end 234. A flourish cord 218 is tied around the elongate main body 210 for engagement with the hand of a user.

[00037] A stop member 240 is disposed at the bottom end 214 of the elongate main body 210, which is also the bottom end of the of the handle portion 216. Preferably, the stop member 240 is generally semi-spherical in shape. The stop member 240 has a top-facing abutment surface 242 for receiving in abutting relation a portion of a flourish cord 218 tied onto the elongate main body 210. The top-facing abutment surface 242 is distinctly angled with respect to the remainder of the outer surface of the stop member 240, and is preferably substantially flat, and preferably facing the top end of the elongate main body 210. The top-facing abutment surface 242 also defines a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the length of the elongate main body 210. Accordingly the top-facing abutment surface 242 helps preclude the flourish cord 218 from riding over the stop member 240 at the bottom end of the handle portion 216 of the elongate main body 210.

[00038] As can readily be seen and as stated above, the second illustrated embodiment drum mallet 200 is similar to the first illustrated embodiment drum mallet 100; however, there are minor differences. In the second illustrated embodiment drum mallet 200, the elongate main body 210 has a greater diameter than the elongate main body 110 of the first illustrated embodiment drum mallet 100. Further, the elongate main body 210 has plurality of annular grooves 211 spaced along a portion of the length of the elongate main body 210. Preferably,

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RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91.1) Dut not necessarily, the annular grooves 211 are evenly spaced one from the next. There is also a cord-receiving annular groove 213 disposed immediately above the stop member 240.

[00039] As can be best seen in Figures 12 and 13, the mallet-head-receiving portion 230 has a truncated top end 232 and a bottom end 234 adjoined to the mallet head abutment member 250. The mallet-head-receiving portion 230 comprises an enlarged portion 231 and a neck portion 233. The enlarged portion 231 is semi-spherically shaped, and defines the truncated top end 232 of the mallet-head-receiving portion 230. Further, the enlarged portion 231 of the mallet-head-receiving portion 230 has a top opening 236 leading to a substantially hollow interior 238 generally defined by a peripheral outer wall 239. Preferably, the truncated top end 232 is generally flat.

[00040] The ratio of the diameter of the top opening 236 of the semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion 231 of the mallet-head-receiving portion 230 to the diameter of the semi- spherically shaped enlarged portion 231 of the mallet-head-receiving portion 230 is between about 6:18 and 8:18, and preferably about 7:18. The ratio of the maximum thickness of the peripheral outer wall 239 of the semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion 231 of the mallet- head-receiving portion 230 to the diameter of the semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion 231 of the shaped mallet-head-receiving portion 230 is between about 6:18 and 7:18, and preferably the ratio of the maximum thickness of the peripheral outer wall 239 of the mallet-head-receiving portion 230 to the diameter of the semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion 231 of the shaped mallet-head-receiving portion 230 is about 6.5:18.

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RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91.1) [00041] It can be readily seen that the present invention provides a drum mallet for use with a tenor drum or a bass drum, which drum mallet has excellent swing characteristics, has excellent sound characteristics, helps preclude the flourish cord from riding over the stop member at the bottom end of the handle portion of the main body, and helps preclude the mallet head from moving downwardly along the elongate main body, all of which features are not found in the prior art.

[00042] Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Further, other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the drum mallet, of the present invention, without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.

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RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91.1)

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. A drum mallet for use with a tenor drum or a bass drum, said drum mallet comprising: an elongate main body having a top end and a bottom end, a handle portion extending from said bottom end towards said top end, and a mallet-head-receiving portion extending from said top end towards said bottom end; a mallet head mounted on said mallet-head-receiving portion of said elongate main body; a stop member disposed at the bottom end of said handle portion of the elongate main body; wherein said stop member has a top-facing abutment surface for receiving in abutting relation a portion of a flourish cord tied onto the elongate main body; wherein said top-facing abutment surface is distinctly angled with respect to the remainder of the outer surface of said stop member.

2. The drum mallet of Claim 1 , wherein said stop member is generally spherical in shape.

3. The drum mallet of Claim 1 , wherein said top-facing abutment surface is substantially flat.

4. A drum mallet for use with a tenor drum or a bass drum, said drum mallet comprising: an elongate main body having a top end and a bottom end, a handle portion extending from said bottom end towards said top end, and a mallet-head-receiving portion extending from said top end towards said bottom end; a mallet head abutment member projecting generally radially outwardly from said elongate main body, and dividing said elongate main body into said handle portion extending between said mallet head abutment member and said bottom end of said elongate main body, and said mallet-head-receiving portion extending between said mallet head abutment member and said top end of said elongate main body; and, a mallet head mounted on said mallet-head-receiving portion of said elongate main body.

5. The drum mallet of Claim 4, wherein said mallet head abutment member is discshaped.

6. The drum mallet of Claim 5, wherein said disk shaped mallet head abutment member is substantially circular.

7. The drum mallet of Claim 4, further comprising a stop member disposed at the bottom end of the elongate main body.

8. A drum mallet for use with a tenor drum or a bass drum, said drum mallet comprising: an elongate main body having a top end and a bottom end, a handle portion extending from said bottom end towards said top end, and a mallet-head-receiving portion extending from said top end towards said bottom end; wherein said mallet-head-receiving portion has a top end and a bottom end adjoined to said elongate main body, and has an enlarged portion; wherein said enlarged portion of said mallet-head-receiving portion has a top opening leading to a substantially hollow interior generally defined by a peripheral outer wall; wherein the ratio of maximum thickness of said peripheral outer wall to the diameter of said enlarged portion of said mallet-head-receiving portion is less than about 1 :5; and, a mallet head mounted on said enlarged portion of said mallet-head-receiving portion of said elongate main body.

9. The drum mallet of Claim 8, wherein said enlarged portion is semi-spherically shaped having a truncated top end.

10. The drum mallet of Claim 8, wherein said truncated top end is generally flat.

11. The tenor drum mallet of Claim 8, wherein the ratio of the maximum thickness of said peripheral outer wall of said semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion of said mallet-head- receiving portion to the diameter of the semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion of said mallet- head-receiving portion is about 2:28 to about 4:28.

12. The tenor drum mallet of Claim 1 1 , wherein the ratio of the maximum thickness of said peripheral outer wall of said semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion of said mallet- head-receiving portion to the diameter of the semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion of said mallet-head-receiving portion is about 3:28.

13. The tenor drum mallet of Claim 8, wherein the ratio of the diameter of the top opening of said semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion of said mallet-head-receiving portion to the diameter of said semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion of said mallet-head-receiving portion is between about 21 :28 and 23:28.

14. The tenor drum mallet of Claim 13, wherein the ratio of the maximum thickness of said peripheral outer wall of said semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion of said mallet- head-receiving portion to the diameter of the semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion of said mallet-head-receiving portion is about 22:28.

15. The tenor drum mallet of Claim 8, wherein said mallet head is substantially circular in a direction extending radially outwardly from said elongate main body, and has a diameter defined by the circular shape and a height defined by the maximum dimension along said elongate main body; and

16. The tenor drum mallet of Claim 15, wherein the ratio of the diameter of said mallet head to the height of said mallet head is between about 1.9:1 and about 2.0: .

17. The tenor drum mallet of Claim 8, wherein the ratio of the diameter of said mallet head to the height of said mallet head is about 1 .95:1.

18. The tenor drum mallet of Claim 8, wherein the ratio of the maximum thickness of said peripheral outer wall of said semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion of said mallet-head- receiving portion to the diameter of the semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion of said mallet- head-receiving portion is about 6:18 to about 7:18.

19. The tenor drum mallet of Claim 18, wherein the ratio of the maximum thickness of said peripheral outer wall of said semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion of said mallet- head-receiving portion to the diameter of the semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion of said mallet-head-receiving portion is about 6.5:18.

20. The tenor drum mallet of Claim 8, wherein the ratio of the diameter of the top opening of said semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion of said mallet-head-receiving portion to the diameter of said semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion of said mallet-head-receiving portion is between about 6:18 and 8:18.

21. The tenor drum mallet of Claim 20, wherein the ratio of the maximum thickness of said peripheral outer wall of said semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion of said mallet- head-receiving portion to the diameter of the semi-spherically shaped enlarged portion of said mallet-head-receiving portion is about 7:18.