|
PatentVote.com: Vote on your favourite invention!
|
|
 |
Title: Connector hardware for percussive instruments
Claims: We claim: 1. Apparatus for use in supporting percussion musical instruments and accessories therefor, said accessories and instruments having first and second members that are adapted to be detachably connected together in adjusted relative positions and thereafter detached and re-attached without disturbing the adjusted relative positions upon such re-attachment, said apparatus comprising: a first connector part including means for fixedly connecting said part to said first member in a selected position of relative adjustment of said first part and first member, a second connector part adapted to be connected to said second member, one of said connector parts having an outwardly facing surface of a non-circular configuration and the other of said connector parts having an inwardly facing surface of a non-circular configuration substantially congruent with said surface configuration of said one connector part, said one connector part comprising a substantially C-shaped clamping element at least partially circumscribing a portion of said first member, said clamping element including a non-circular external surface portion that forms and defines said outwardly facing surface, said clamping element including a circular main body portion of substantially uniform thickness, having an aperture extending therethrough adapted to adjustably receive said first member, having a pair of outwardly projecting juxtaposed clamp lugs, and having an outwardly projecting key, said clamping element including means for forcibly drawing said clamp lugs together to distort the clamping element main body portion into clamping engagement about a member extending through the aperture thereof, said other connector part being adapted to slidably receive said outwardly facing surface of said one connector part in a snug, interfitting non-rotational relation, said other connector part comprising a receiver element having a recess formed therein, said recess having dimensions and configuration adapted to snugly and slidably receive at least a portion of said clamping element, said recess of said other connector part including an outwardly projecting recess section adapted to receive said outwardly projecting key of said clamping element, said recess including a discontinuous section for receiving said juxtaposed clamping lugs, and means for restraining withdrawal of said one connector part from said other connector part. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said key is formed with a longitudinally extending groove and wherein said means for restraining withdrawal comprise a manually operable clamp screw threaded through said receiver element into engagement with said groove of said key. 3. Apparatus for use in supporting percussion musical instruments and accessories therefor, said accessories and instruments having first and second members that are adapted to be detachably connected together in adjusted relative positions and thereafter detached and re-attached without disturbing the adjusted relative positions upon such re-attachment, said apparatus comprising: a first connector part including means for fixedly connecting said part to said first member in a selected position of relative adjustment of said first part and first member, said fixedly connecting means including a C-shaped body portion substantially encircling said first member and having a pair of outwardly projecting clamp lugs, means for drawing the lugs together to clamp said body portion to said first member, and a key fixed to and projecting from said body portion and spaced along the periphery thereof from said outwardly projecting clamping lugs, a second connector part adapted to be connected to said second member, one of said connector parts having an outwardly facing surface of a non-circular configuration and the other of said connector parts having an inwardly facing surface of a non-circular configuration substantially congruent with said surface configuration of said one connector part, said other connector part being adapted to slidably receive said outwardly facing surface of said one connector part in a snug, interfitting non-rotational relation, said other connector part including upstanding wall means defining a recess adapted to snugly and slidably receive said body portion and said key, and means for restraining withdrawal of said one connector part from said other connector part, said means comprising a locking element threaded in one of said connector parts and adapted to bear against the other of said connector parts. 4. Apparatus for use in supporting percussion musical instruments and accessories therefor, said accessories and instruments having first and second members that are adapted to be detachably connected together in adjusted relative positions and thereafter detached and re-attached without disturbing the adjusted relative positions upon such re-attachment, said apparatus comprising: a first connector part including means for fixedly connecting said part to said first member in a selected position of relative adjustment of said first part and first member, said fixedly connecting means including a C-shaped body portion substantially encircling said first member and having a pair of outwardly projecting clamp lugs, means for drawing the lugs together to clamp said body portion to said first member, and a key fixed to and projecting from said body portion and spaced along the periphery thereof from said outwardly projecting clamping lugs, a second connector part adapted to be connected to said second member, one of said connector parts having an outwardly facing surface of a non-circular configuration and the other of said connector parts having an inwardly facing surface of a non-circular configuration substantially congruent with said surface configuration of said one connector part, said other connector part being adapted to slidably receive said outwardly facing surface of said one connector part in a snug, interfitting non-rotational relation, said other connector part including upstanding wall means defining a recess adapted to snugly and slidably receive said body portion and said key, said other connector part including an outwardly projecting body section, said other connector part being formed with an aperture extending therethrough for slidably adjustable reception of said first member, said aperture being interposed between said outwardly projecting body section and a portion of said recess that receives said key, means on said outwardly extending body section for connecting said other connector part to said second member, and means for restraining withdrawal of said one connector part from said other connector part. 5. Apparatus for use in supporting and connecting percussion musical instruments and accessories therefor, said apparatus comprising first and second members adapted to be detachably connected together in rigid, repeatable relatively adjusted positions, one of said members comprising an elongated support of cylindrical external configuration, a clamp connected to said elongated cylindrical support for axial and rotatable adjustment relative thereto, said clamp comprising a tubular clamp body at least partially circumscribing said elongated cylindrical support, said clamp body including a pair of mutually spaced juxtaposed clamp lugs, and a clamp screw interconnecting said clamp lugs, a clamp receiver comprising a receiver body having an aperture extending therethrough adapted to receive said elongated cylindrical support, said receiver body including means for defining an outwardly opening recess therein, said recess defining means including a recess bottom wall and a pair of mutually spaced side walls upstanding from said bottom wall and disposed about said receiver body aperture, said upstanding side walls and said bottom wall collectively defining a recess configuration that snugly and slidably receives said clamp with an end of said tubular clamp body in contiguity with said recess bottom wall and said upstanding wall in snug engagement with said tubular clamp body, and interfitting means on said tubular clamp body and on said receiver body for restraining relative rotation of said clamp and receiver body, said means for restraining relative rotation comprising a key formed on said clamp and spaced about the periphery thereof from said clamp lugs, and further comprising a mating keyway formed in said receiver body for receiving said key. 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said key is formed with an outwardly facing longitudinal groove and wherein said apparatus includes a locking element threadedly engaged in said receiver body and having an end portion adapted to be pressed against said groove of said key. 7. Hardware for use in combination with elements in the field of percussive musical instruments, their components and accessories, said hardware comprising: (a) an elongated member having an end portion adapted to be inserted into an opening in an element, (b) a clamp adapted to be mounted on said elongated member, said clamp including means to lock said clamp on said member at a desired axial position thereon, said clamp then being in a certain rotational position about the axis of said member, and (c) means adapted to be associated with said clamp and with said element to prevent axial movements of said clamp in both directions relative to said element, and prevent rotational movements of said clamp in both directions relative to said element, when said end portion of said elongated member is in inserted condition in said opening, said means (c) including adjustable means directly engaged with said clamp when said adjustable means is in a locking position, whereby said means (c) prevents all axial and rotational movements of said elongated member relative to said element when said clamp is locked on said member, said means (c) being such that both the axial position of said elongated member, and the rotational position of said elongated member about said axis are then predetermined by said axial and rotational position of said clamp, said means (c) being releasable to permit withdrawal of said end portion of said elongated member from said opening to achieve disconnection, and being reconnectable to again hold said clamp and thus said elongated member in said predetermined axial and rotational position. 8. The invention as claimed in claim 7, in which said elongated member has a substantially cylindrical exterior surface, in which said clamp is generally C-shaped, in which said lock means comprises means to draw the ends of said clamp towards each other to thus frictionally lock said clamp at any desired axial position on said elongated member and also at any desired rotational position thereon about said axis of said elongated member, and in which said elements (b) and (c) are shaped to be thus associated with each other when, and only when, said clamp is in substantially a single rotated condition relative to said means (c). 9. The invention as claimed in claim 8, in which said adjustable means of clause (c) comprises a screw adapted when tightened to directly engage said clamp. 10. A combination of hardware with at least one element in the field of percussive musical instruments and their accessories, said combination comprising: (a) an element of a percussive musical instrument, (b) an elongated member having a substantially cylindrical exterior surface, (c) a clamp frictionally locked on said cylindrical member, said clamp comprising a generally C-shaped body and a threaded fastener mounted on such C-shaped body to draw the ends thereof towards each other and thus frictionally lock said clamp at any desired axial position on said cylindrical member and at any desired rotated position about the axis of said cylindrical member, and (d) a receiver mounted fixedly on said element (a), said receiver having an opening therein through which a portion of said cylindrical member extends, said receiver being so shaped that said clamp is nested therein in seated condition when a portion of said cylindrical member extends into said opening, said receiver also being so shaped that said clamp may thus nest only when said clamp is in a predetermined rotated relationship relative to said receiver, whereby said cylindrical member must also have a predetermined rotated relationship relative to said receiver when said clamp is frictionally locked on said cylindrical member and is nested in said receiver, the result being that said clamp and said receiver determine both the rotated condition of said cylindrical member relative to said element, and the degree of extension of said cylindrical member into said opening. 11. The invention as claimed in claim 10, in which a set screw is extended radially-inwardly through said receiver and into engagement with said clamp to thereby apply pressure to said clamp in a direction transverse to the axis of said cylindrical member, said set screw effecting a pre-locking action when said clamp is loose relative to said cylindrical member and a double-locking action when said clamp is locked onto said cylindrical member as recited in clause (c). 12. The invention as claimed in claim 10, in which the radial thickness of said clamp is substantially uniform about the circumference of said cylindrical member, whereby to achieve a relatively uniform clamping action about the circumference of said cylindrical member. 13. Connector hardware for use in percussive musical instruments and their accessories, which comprises: (a) an elongated member, (b) a clamp mounted on said member in substantially encompassing relationship therearound, said clamp being adapted to be clamped on said member at various axial positions therealong and at various rotated positions about the axis of said member, and (c) a receiver adapted to receive an end portion of said member and also adapted to receive at least a substantial part of said clamp, said receiver comprising wall portions which extend upwardly into adjacency with portions of said clamp which encompass said member, said wall portions preventing substantial turning of said clamp about the axis of said member, and also preventing substantial turning of said member about said axis when said clamp is in clamped relationship on said member. 14. The invention as claimed in claim 13, in which said member has a substantially cylindrical exterior surface, in which said clamp has a generally C-shaped portion encompassing the major portion of the circumference of said surface, said clamp also having outwardly extending lugs at the ends of said C-shaped portion, said clamp further having means to force said lugs towards each other to thus reduce the diameter of the clamp and frictionally clamp said clamp on said cylindrical surface, and in which said wall portions are sufficiently extensive that said clamp may seat in said receiver only when said clamp is substantially in a single rotated position about said axis of said member. 15. The invention as claimed in claim 14, in which said elongated member is a steel tube, in which said clamp is an aluminum casting, in which the inner diameter of said C-shaped portion is somewhat greater than that of said cylindrical surface when said C-shaped portion is in a free unstressed condition, and in which said wall portions have a gap therebetween through which said lugs project radially of said tube. 16. The invention as claimed in claim 13, in which set-screw means are threaded radially-inwardly through one of said wall portions and into engagement with said clamp to thus prevent withdrawal thereof from said receiver, whereby to also prevent withdrawal of said elongated member from said receiver. 17. Connector hardware, which comprises: (a) an elongated member, (b) a clamp positioned on said member and adapted when in loose condition to be shifted to various longitudinal positions on said member and also to various rotated positions about the axis of said member, (c) a receiver shaped to receive an end section of said member, and also shaped to receive at least a portion of said clamp, and (d) fastener means mounted in said receiver and adapted upon being tightened to engage said clamp when said clamp is seated on said receiver, said fastener means extending generally radially inwardly relative to the axis of said member, the relationships between said fastener means, said member, said clamp and said receiver being such that tightening of said fastener means (d) effects cocking and binding of said member which causes fixing of the position, both axially and rotationally, of said member relative to said receiver even when said clamp is in loose condition and despite the fact that said fastener means does not engage said member, the degree of said binding action being regulatable, by varying the degree of pressure exerted by said fastener means, to such extent that said member will remain axially and rotationally positioned relative to said receiver until the musician intentionally adjusts the position of said member, whereby the musician may easily make preliminary set-ups and adjustments before effecting clamping of said clamp onto said member, the musician thereafter effecting clamping of said clamp and full tightening of said fastener means to cause cooperation between said clamp and said tightened fastener means in maintaining a fixed, firm, locked relationship between said receiver and said member. 18. The invention as claimed in claim 17, in which cam means are provided on said receiver to at least partially tighten said clamp in response to said tightening of said fastener means. 19. The invention as claimed in claim 17, in which said receiver is so shaped as to receive said clamp only when said clamp is in substantially a single rotated position about the axis of said elongated member, said receiver then preventing substantial rotation of the received clamp about said axis even when said fastener means is fully loosened. 20. Connector hardware adapted to selectively achieve pre-locking and double-locking actions, and to achieve automatic repeatability of both axial and rotational positions between the members being connected, said connector hardware comprising: (a) an inner member, (b) a clamp incorporating tightening means whereby the clamp is adapted to be locked by any one of various desired positions on said inner member, (c) means to mate with said clamp and shaped to hold said clamp is substantially a single rotated position about the axis of said inner member, whereby said inner member is likewise held in a single rotated position about said axis when said clamp is clamped on said member, and (d) adjustable means to bear against said clamp and thus effect holding of said inner member, said adjustable means being adapted to provide a pre-locking action of said inner member prior to locking of said clamp on said inner member, said adjustable means, said clamp and said means (c) effecting a double-locking action when both said clamp and said adjustable means are tightened. 21. Compound clamp hardware for musical drums and their accessories, said hardware comprising: (a) a generally C-shaped portion adapted to be clamped in substantially encompassing relationship around a first elongated member, and (b) means rigidly and permanently connected to said C-shaped portion and adapted to be connected to a second elongated member, said means (b) being removably secured in a receiver provided at the end of said second elongated member, the relationship between said C-shaped portion and said means (b) being such that said first and second elongated members are in transverse relationship to each other when connected to said clamp. 22. Compound clamp hardware for musical drums and their accessories, said hardware comprising: (a) a generally C-shaped portion adapted to be clamped in substantially encompassing relationship around a first elongated member, and (b) means rigidly and permanently connected to said C-shaped portion and adapted to be connected to a second elongated member, said second elongated member being removably secured in an aperture in said means (b), the relationship between said C-shaped portion and said means (b) being such that said first and second elongated members are in transverse relationship to each other when connected to said clamp. 23. Compound clamp hardware for musical drums and their accessories, said hardware comprising: (a) a generally C-shaped portion adapted to be clamped in substantially encompassing relationship around a first elongated member, and (b) means rigidly and permanently connected to said C-shaped portion and adapted to be connected to a second elongated member, said means (a) and (b) being integral with each other, being one-piece with no connections or joints therebetween, the relationship between said C-shaped portion and said means (b) being such that said first and second elongated members are in transverse relationship to each other when connected to said clamp. 24. A compound clamp assembly, which comprises: (a) a receiver element shaped to receive therein at least a major portion of a generally C-shaped clamp, (b) a compound clamp having a portion shaped to be received in said receiver element, said clamp also having a clamp portion adapted to be clamped around an elongated member, (c) an element secured to said receiver, said element being a part of a percussive musical instrument assembly, and (d) means to lock said receiver element in said firstmentioned clamp portion set forth at the beginning of clause (b). 25. The invention as claimed in claim 24, in which said receiver and said compound clamp portion received therein are so shaped relative to each other that they have only a single relative rotated condition about a common axis. 26. The invention as claimed in claim 24, in which a clamp is provided which is not compound and is also adapted to be received in said receiver element, said last-mentioned clamp being adapted to be clamped around a tube when the latter is extended through said receiver and into an element (c), said last-mentioned clamp and said compound clamp being adapted to be used interchangeably with said receiver. 27. The invention as claimed in claim 26, in which said receiver portion recited at the beginning of clause (b) has provided thereon an element which stimulates said last-mentioned tube and thus provides additional stability to the assembly. 28. Apparatus for supporting and positioning drums and other percussive musical instruments and musical instrument accessories, said apparatus comprising: (a) an elongated support member, (b) a generally C-shaped clamp extending around said support member, said clamp being adapted to be clamped exteriorly on said support member at desired axial positions therealong, and at desired rotational positions about the axis thereof, (c) a receiver adapted to seat said clamp, said receiver having an open portion which receives said support member when said clamp is in seated position, said receiver and said clamp having cooperating locating portions causing said clamp to be and remain in a predetermined rotated position relative to said receiver when said clamp is seated on said receiver, and (d) elongated threaded fastener means threadedly associated with said receiver, said threaded fastener means being disposed in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of said support member when said support member is received in said receiver, said threaded fastener means being disposed adjacent said clamp when said clamp is seated on said receiver, said threaded fastener means being adapted when tightened to effect shifting of said support member laterally against a portion of said receiver which is adjacent said clamp, to thus inhibit longitudinal movement of said support member relative to said receiver, whereby said clamp, said receiver and said threaded fastener means are provided in compact relationship and are operable, when said clamp and threaded fastener means are tightened, to prevent both longitudinal and rotational shifting of said support member, said threaded fastener means being operable when loosened to permit withdrawal of said support member, together with said clamp, from adjacent said receiver whereby the same desired rotational and axial position of said support member may be quickly achieved upon subsequent repositioning of said support member and clamp adjacent said receiver, said clamp when loosened being adapted to be shifted to different axial and rotational positions on said support member and tightened thereat, thus achieving different axial and rotational positions of said support member upon subsequent positioning of said support member and clamp adjacent said receiver. 29. The invention as claimed in claim 28, in which said apparatus is combined with at least one percussive musical drum, said receiver being mounted on the shell of said drum. 30. The invention as claimed in claim 28, in which said receiver is mounted on a tube means, in spaced relationship from any drum. 31. The invention as claimed in claim 28, in which said support member is a tube of circular section, in which an element is shifted by said threaded fastener means, forcibly against said support member, when said threaded fastener means is tightened, said element having a surface conforming to a large part of the exterior of said tube to thus increase the frictional forces resulting from tightening of said threaded fastener means. 32. The invention as claimed in claim 31, in which said element which is shifted by said threaded fastener means is said clamp. 33. The invention as claimed in claim 28, in which said threaded fastener means is radially adjacent said clamp, and extends radially of said support member, when said clamp is seated on said receiver. 34. The invention as claimed in claim 28, in which said cooperating locating portions comprise a recess in one of said clamp and receiver elements, and a protuberance on the other of said elements and shaped to be received in said recess, so that said clamp may be seated on said receiver only when in a single rotated position relative thereto. 35. The invention as claimed in claim 34, in which said cooperating locating portions comprise a protuberance on said clamp, and a recess in said receiver, said clamp being a casting having said protuberance formed integrally thereon. 36. The invention as claimed in claim 28, in which said clamp is a casting of non-ferrous metal, and has a thick wall the dimensions of which are substantially uniform about the circumference of said support member. 37. Apparatus for supporting and positioning drums and other percussive musical instruments and musical instrument accessories, said apparatus comprising: (a) an elongated support member, (b) a generally C-shaped clamp extending around said support member, said clamp being adapted to be clamped exteriorly on said support member at desired axial positions therealong, and at desired rotational positions about the axis thereof, (c) a clamp connector adapted to seat said clamp, said clamp connector having an open portion which receives said support member when said clamp is in seated position, said clamp connector and said clamp having cooperating locating portions causing said clamp to be and remain in a predetermined rotated position relative to said clamp connector when said clamp is seated on said clamp connector, and (d) elongated threaded fastener means threadedly associated with at least one of said clamp connector and clamp, said threaded fastener means being disposed in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of said support member when said support member is received in said clamp connector, said threaded fastener means being disposed adjacent both said clamp and clamp connector when said clamp is seated on said clamp connector, said threaded fastener means being adapted when tightened to inhibit longitudinal movement of said support member relative to said clamp connector, whereby said clamp, said clamp connector and said threaded fastener means are provided in compact relationship and are operable to prevent both longitudinal and rotational shifting of said support member relative to said clamp connector, said threaded fastener means being operable when loosened to permit withdrawal of said support member, together with said clamp, from adjacent said clamp connector whereby the same desired rotational and axial position of said support member may be quickly achieved upon subsequent repositioning of said support member and clamp adjacent said clamp connector, said clamp when loosened being adapted to be shifted to different axial and rotational positions on said support member and tightened thereat, thus achieving different axial and rotational positions of said support member upon subsequent positioning of said support member and clamp to said clamp connector. 38. Apparatus for supporting and positioning parts of sets of percussive musical instruments and musical instrument accessories, said apparatus comprising: (a) an elongated support member having a generally cylindrical exterior surface, (b) a generally C-shaped clamp extending around said support member, said clamp being adapted to be clamped exteriorly on said support member at desired rotational positions about the axis thereof, (c) an elongated tube of generally circular cross-section, the diameter of said tube being sufficiently large to receive said support member in telescopic relationship, (d) a receiver fixedly mounted at one end of said tube, said receiver being adapted to seat said clamp, said receiver having an open portion which receives said support member when said clamp is in seated position, whereby said support member may telescope into said tube, said receiver and said clamp having cooperating locating portions causing said clamp to be and remain in a predetermined rotated position relative to said receiver when said clamp is seated on said receiver, and (e) means to effect shifting of said support member laterally against a portion of said receiver which is adjacent said clamp when said clamp is seated on said receiver to thus inhibit longitudinal movement of said support member relative to said receiver, all portions of said means (e) being disposed adjacent the plane of said clamp when said clamp is seated on said receiver, whereby said clamp, said receiver and said means (e) are provided in compact relationship and are operable, when said clamp and said means (e) are tightened, to prevent shifting of said support member, said means (e) being operable when loosened to permit withdrawal of said support member, together with said clamp, from adjacent said receiver whereby the same desired position of said support member may be quickly achieved upon subsequent repositioning of said support member and clamp adjacent said receiver, said clamp when loosened being adapted to be shifted to different positions on said support member and tightened thereat, thus achieving different positions of said support member upon subsequent positioning of said support member and clamp adjacent said receiver. 39. Apparatus for supporting and positioning drums and other percussive musical instruments and musical instrument accessories, said apparatus comprising: (a) an elongated support member, (b) a generally C-shaped clamp extending around said support member, said clamp being adapted to be clamped exteriorly on said support member at desired axial positions therealong, and at desired rotational positions about the axis thereof, (c) a receiver adapted to seat said clamp, said receiver having an open portion which receives said support member when said clamp is in seated position, said receiver and said clamp having cooperating locating portions causing said clamp to be and remain in a predetermined rotated position relative to said receiver when said clamp is seated on said receiver, and (d) means to effect shifting of said support member laterally against a certain portion of said receiver to thus inhibit longitudinal movement of said support member relative to said receiver, no portion of said means (d) being spaced a substantial distance away from the plane of said clamp when said clamp is seated on said receiver, said certain portion of said receiver being adjacent the plane of said clamp when said clamp is seated on said receiver, whereby said clamp, said receiver and said means (d) are provided in compact relationship and are operable, when said clamp and said means (d) are tightened, to prevent both longitudinal and rotational shifting of said support member, said means (d) being operable when loosened to permit withdrawal of said support member, together with said clamp, from adjacent said receiver whereby the same desired rotational and axial position of said support member may be quickly achieved upon subsequent repositioning of said support member and clamp adjacent said receiver, said clamp when loosened being adapted to be shifted to different axial and rotational positions on said support member and tightened thereat, thus achieving different axial and rotational positions of said support member upon subsequent positioning of said support member and clamp adjacent said receiver. Other info: Inventors: Donohoe, David G. (Lakewood, CA, US) Clark, Forrest W. (Fountain Valley, CA, US) Application Number: 719249 Filing Date: 1976-08-31 Publication_date: 1980-01-29 Assignee: CBS Inc. (New York, NY) Primary Class(es): 248/295.11 84/421, 403/344, 984/151, 984/DIG1 Other Classes: US Patent Ref:
Other Refs:
Rogers Drums Catalog, 1973-1974. Rogers Drums with Memriloc Hardware, Catalogue 1976-1977. Rogers Drums Catalog, 1967-1968. Rogers Drums with Memriloc Hardware, Parts and Accessories Catalog, 1976-1977. Rogers Drums Catalog, Form No. 239, copyright 1970. Rogers Drums Catalog, Form No. 240, copyright 1970. Rogers Drums Parts Catalog, Form No. 247, Nov. 1971. | |