FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a drum tuning device and more particularly to a drum tuning device as described in the preamble of the independent claim 1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A drum comprises a drumhead which is a membrane stretched over one or both ends of a drum. The drumhead is struck with sticks or hands, so that it vibrates, and the sound resonates through the drum. In order to vibrate so that it sounds good the drumhead has to be tuned. A drum also comprises a hoop that is used to hold a drumhead against a drum shell and which is secured with bolts called tension rods which are screwed into threaded lugs attached to the drum shell in order to tighten and tune the drumhead.

A drum is tuned by adjusting the tension rods with a tuning key. The adjustment is usually performed by loosening the tension rods and tightening the tension rods evenly until the drum has a desired tone. The tightening is performed in a pattern, i.e. a specific order and not just randomly. A new drumhead is installed by positioning the drumhead centrally against the drum shell and placing the hoop and the tension rods and tightening the tension rods typically by hand first, as tight as it is possible to tighten with fingers. The tension of the tension rods adjusts the pitch of the drum and the tuning ratio of the upper and lower drumhead to the tone of the tune. The most important thing in drum tuning is that the drumhead has to be tightened as evenly as possible to achieve the best drum sound. Typically, when the desired tone is achieved the drumhead area near the tension rod is tapped and each tension rod is individually adjusted so to achieve the same desired tone.

Problem with this drum tuning method is that it requires a person with a trained ear to determine the correct setting and it also requires that the steps are repeated several times until the tension rods are evenly adjusted and the drumhead is evenly tensioned.

Publication US 8148618 discloses a drum tune adjustment system provided for adjusting the pitch of a drum and comprising an air pump and a conduit fluidly connected with the air pump. The system also includes a connector configured to attach the conduit to the shell of the drum such that the cavity of the drum is fluidly connected with the air pump via the conduit. However, problem with the prior art is that the setting of the drum adjustment system is complex and requires time which is not always usable when the drum needs to be tuned during a concert.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a drum tuning device which is easy and quick to use even during a concert and does not require silence or trained ear.

The obj ects of the invention are achieved by a drum tuning device which is characterized by what is stated in the independent claim. The preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the idea of providing a drum tuning device which is arranged to measure the distance between the drum shell and the upper surface of the hoop. The drumhead is secured between the shell and the hoop so that the drumhead is arranged on the same level with the end of the shell. When tuning the drum, the drum tuning device is placed on the drumhead near the tension rod to be tightened and the distance between the hoop and the shell is measured. An adjustable indication portion is used to save the distance information to be used when tightening the other tension rods. Each tension rod is adjusted with a tuning key until all points have the same dimension value. An indicator is preferably used to indicate that the right dimension value is reached. The indicator can be for example a light detector that illustrates the achievement of the measurement value. In this way, the drumhead is placed in a very precise position and plays a uniform tune throughout. The drum tuning device is suitable for tuning all types of drums where the hoop is higher than the drumhead.

According to the invention the drum tuning device for adjusting the pitch of a drum, which the drum comprising a shell, a drumhead and a hoop for securing the drumhead to one end of the shell, comprises a stand part having a proximal end and a distal end, which said proximal end is to be placed on the drumhead toward the hoop of the drum and said distal end is to be placed on the drumhead toward the centre of the drum and a measure part comprising a measuring head, which said measuring head is to be placed on the hoop of the drum, the measure part is movably supported to the stand part such that the measure part is vertically movable in relation to the stand part.

In other words, the drum tuning device comprises a measure part and a stand part which are arranged such that the measure part is vertically movable in relation to the stand part. However, the measure part may also be horizontally movable in relation to the stand part, but the vertical movement of the measure part is arranged to determine the tension of the drumhead.

According to an embodiment of the invention the drum tuning device further comprises an indication portion arranged to indicate a vertical position of the measure part in relation to the stand part. The indication portion provides measurement value or data to be used in connection with tightening the other tension rods in order to tighten the tension rods such that the drumhead is evenly tightened.

According to an embodiment of the invention the indication portion comprises a first indication part connected to the measure part and a second indication part connected to the stand part which the first and second indication parts are arranged to form an indication of a desired tension of the drumhead. As the first indication part is connected to the measure part and the second indication part is connected to the stand part they are able to indicate the vertical movement of the measure part in relation to the stand part and thereby providing an indication of when the desired tension of the drumhead has been achieved.

According to an embodiment of the invention the first indication part is an indication rod, and the second indication part is arranged to form a counter part for the indication rod, the indication portion is arranged to provide an indication in response to the contact between the first and second indication parts. In other words, the indication portion is arranged to show the point in which the contact is formed between the indication rod and the counter part, i.e. the first indication part and the second indication part, for indicating the vertical position of the measure part in relation to the stand part in order to use the same vertical position and adjust the same tension of the drumhead in connection with all the other tension rods. The second indication part forming the counter part can be for example an upper surface of the stand part. During tightening the first tension rod of the drum with the tuning key and in the point in which the right tune is found indication portion of the drum tuning device is set to indicate the vertical position of the measure part in relation to the stand part. This indication is used in connection with the other tension rods to find the right tightness of the tension rods in order to achieve the desired tension of the drumhead.

According to an embodiment of the invention the first indication part and the second indication part are electrically connected such that when the first indication part and the second indication part contact each other an electrical connection is formed and the indication of the desired tension of the drumhead is shown by a visual and/or audible signal. The signal can be for example a light turning on and indicating that the contact is formed between the first indication part and the second indication part. Alternatively, or in addition the signal can be a sound giving an indication of a contact between the first indication part and the second indication part.

According to an embodiment of the invention the drum tuning device further comprises a power source arranged to provide power to the indication portion such that a visual and/or an audible signal is provided when the first and second indication parts are connected. The power source is preferably a battery.

According to an embodiment of the invention the first indication part is an optical distance meter, and the second indication part is arranged to form a counter part for the optical distance meter, the first indication part is arranged to measure the vertical distance from the first indication part to the second indication part. The second indication part which forms the counter part for the optical distance meter can be for example the upper surface of the stand part or a plate provided on the stand part.

According to an embodiment of the invention the optical distance meter is further arranged to provide an indication of the desired tension of the drumhead. This indication may be for example a value displayed by the indication portion or a visual or audible signal provided by the indication portion when a predetermined vertical distance between the measure part and the stand part is reached. The predetermined distance can be set in the optical distance meter when the first tension rod is tightened to the tightness in which the right tune is found.

According to an embodiment of the invention the first indication part is an indication mark arranged in the measure part, and the second indication part is a measuring scale connected to the stand part such that the measuring scale is arranged to indicate the vertical distance between the stand part and the measure part. Alternatively, or in addition the first indication part is a measuring scale arranged in the measure part, and the second indication part is an indication element provided in the stand part such that the indication element together with the measuring scale is arranged to indicate the vertical distance between the stand part and the measure part. In other words, the measuring scale is arranged to indicate the vertical position of the measure part in relation to the stand part when the tension of the drumhead is optimal based on the sounds determined by drummer by drumming the drumhead in connection with the first tension rod. The indication of the vertical position is used with all the other tension rods when tightening then in order to get an evenly tensioned drumhead.

According to an embodiment of the invention the measure part is movably supported to the stand part through at least one support arm which the least one support arm is connected to the measure part through a first joint connection and to the stand part through a second joint connection. The support arm is preferably such that it moves the measure part both in vertical direction and in horizontal direction. However, the support arm may also be such that the measure part is only vertically movable in relation to stand part. The support arm may also be a spring or other support arm which is extendable, and which can be shortened such that the support arm is able to move the measure part in vertical direction in relation to the stand part.

According to an embodiment of the invention the measure part is movably supported to the stand part through at least two support arms which the least two support arms are connected to the measure part through first joint connections and to the stand part through second joint connections. This embodiment of the invention provides even more stable connection between the measure part and the stand part and provides smoother mobility of the measure part in relation to the stand part.

According to an embodiment of the invention the indication portion is provided between the stand part and the measure part such that first indication part is arranged to approach the second indication part as a result of vertical movement of the measure part towards the stand part. In other words, the stand part is provided as a stable and stationary part keeping the second indication part in place while the first indication part is arranged to move toward the second indication part.

According to an embodiment of the invention the drum tuning device further comprises a measuring connected to the stand part such that the measuring scale is arranged to indicate the distance between the stand part and the measure part. This measuring scale can be provided in connection with the indication portion or as an individual indicator for providing the vertical position of the measure part in relation to the stand part.

According to an embodiment of the invention the indication portion comprises an adjustment mechanism arranged to adjust the position of the first indication part. Alternatively, or in addition the indication portion comprises an adjustment mechanism arranged to maintain the position of the first indication part in the position in which the first and second indication parts have formed the indication of a desired tension of the drumhead. The adjustment mechanism is provided in connection with the indication portion and to adjust the position of the first indication part, and preferably to adjust the vertical position of the indication part with respect to the stand part, or with respect to the second indication part. The adjustment mechanism is arranged to allow the first indication part to be moved with respect to the second indication part and to contact the second indication part when a desired tension of the drumhead in connection with the first tension rod is achieved to indicate the correct vertical position of the measure part in relation to the stand part. Further in another embodiment of the invention the adjustment mechanism is also arranged to maintain the position of the first indication part and to save the information of the correct vertical position of the measure part in relation to the stand part.

According to an embodiment of the invention the stand part is arranged to form a first fulcrum of the drum tuning device and the measure part is arranged to form a second fulcrum of the drum tuning device. This means that the drum tuning device stands on the drumhead through the measure part and through the stand part.

According to an embodiment of the invention the second indication part is arranged between the proximal end and the distal end of the stand part and the first indication part is arranged in the measurement part at a distance from the measuring head such that in the point of connection between the first indication part and the second indication part the first indication part is opposite to the second indication part in a vertical direction of the drum tuning device. The first indication part may not be opposite to the second indication part in a position in which the first and second indication parts are not in contact with each other or the drum tuning device is in a resting position meaning the drum tuning device is not in the measuring position.

According to an embodiment of the invention the stand part comprises at least two fulcrum points at the distal end of the stand part and one fulcrum point at the proximal end of the stand part. Alternatively, the stand part comprises one fulcrum point at the proximal end of the stand part and at least two fulcrum points at the distal end of the stand part. The stand part is preferably such that it does not completely form a surface that lies on the drumhead, but the stand part preferably comprises legs that form the fulcrum points which are placed on the drumhead. The stand part preferably extends between the legs such that an open space is formed between the stand part and the drumhead.

An advantage of the invention is that the drum tuning device is easy and quick to use even during a concert. An advantage of the invention is that tuning time is remarkably reduced since only the first tension rod has to be adjusted by ear or based on earlier data and then all the rest tension rods can be adjusted to the same tension with the help of the drum tuning device. The drum tuning device is arranged to show the correct tension for each the tension rod by an indication which is obtained by tightening the first tension rod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in detail by means of specific embodiments with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows a drum tuning device according to the invention in connection with a drum;

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a drum tuning device;

Figure 3 shows the embodiment of a drum tuning device shown in figure 2 in connection of tuning a drum;

Figure 4 shows the embodiment of a drum tuning device shown in figure 2 in connection of tuning a drum;

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a drum tuning device;

Figure 6 shows another embodiment of a drum tuning device; and

Figure 7 shows yet another embodiment of a drum tuning device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows a drum tuning device 1 according to the invention in connection with a drum 100. The drum 100 comprises a shell 101, a drumhead 102 and a hoop 103 for securing the drumhead 102 to one end of the shell 101. The drum comprises tension rods 104 which are loosened and tightened with a tuning key 200. When tuning a drum 100 and adjusting the pitch of the drum 100 the tension rods 104 are typically first tightened by fingers and then by the tuning key 200 in order to achieve the right pitch. In connection with the first tension rod 104 to be tightened the drum tuning device 1 comprising a measure part 3 and a stand part 2 is placed on the drumhead 102 such that a measuring head 31 of the measure part 3 is placed on the hoop 103 of the drum 100 and a distal end 22 of the stand part 2 is placed toward the centre of the drum 100 so that a proximal end 21 of the stand part 2 is close to the hoop 103 of the drum 100. The measure part 3 and the stand part 2 are connected together such that the measuring head 31 of the measure part 3 extends further away from the distal end 22 of the stand part 2 than the proximal end 21 of the stand part 2 in order to place the proximal end 21 of the stand part 2 on the drumhead 102 while the measuring head 31 is placed on the hoop 103 of the drum 100. In the embodiment shown in figure 1 the stand part 2 comprises three legs such that one leg is towards the hoop 103 of the drum 100 and the other two legs are towards the centre of the drum 100 or at the centre of the drum 100. The drum tuning device 1 further comprises an indication portion 4 which is arranged to indicate the desired tension of the drumhead 102 in order to achieve the right pitch. The operation of the drum tuning device 1 is further explained in connection with figures 2-4.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a drum tuning device 1 in which the stand part 2 and the measure part 3 are connected together through two supporting arms 5, 5'. The supporting arms 5, 5 'are connected to the measure part 3 through first joint connections 51, 51 'and to the stand part 2 through second joint connections 52, 52'. However, only one supporting arm is also enough or there may be more than two supporting arms, therefore the invention is not limited to any specific number of supporting arms 5, 5'. The stand part 2 comprises in this embodiment of the invention three legs 23 forming the first fulcrum of the drum tuning device 1. The legs 23 are provided at the stand part 2 such that one leg 23 is arranged at the proximal end 21 of the stand part 2 and two other legs 23 are provided at the distal end 22 of the stand part 2. This three-leg 23 embodiment is the most preferable since it does not fall down easily but maintains balance during drum tuning. However, the invention is not limited to any number of legs 23 in the stand part 2. The legs 23 of the stand part 2 protrude from the stand part 2 in a direction away from the measure part 3 such that an open space is formed between the legs 23. Therefore, the stand part 2 does not form a planar surface that would support itself when placed on an uneven surface of the drumhead 102 during tuning.

The measure part 3 shown in figure 2 comprises a measuring head 31 provided at the proximal end of the measure part 3. The measuring head 31 extends in the drum tuning device 1 further away from the distal end 22 of the stand part 2 than the proximal end 21 of the stand part 2 such that the distance between the measuring head 31 and the proximal end 21 of the stand part 2 in a longitudinal direction of the drum tuning device 1 is at least 0.5 centimetre. The longitudinal direction of the drum tuning device 1 is the direction extending between the proximal end 21 and the distal end 22 of the stand part 2.

The drum tuning device 1 further comprises an indication portion 4 comprising a first indication part 41 and a second indication part 42. In this embodiment of the invention the indication portion 4 also comprises an adjustment mechanism 43. In this embodiment of the invention the first indication part 41 is an indication rod, and the second indication part 42 is arranged to form a counter part for the indication rod. The indication rod is adjustably arranged in connection with the measure part 3 such that the adjustment mechanism 43 is arranged to adjust the position of the indication rod relative to the measure part 3 and relative to the second indication part 42. The adjustment part 43 is further arranged to maintain the position of the indication rod 4 relative to the measure part 3. In other words, the first indication part 41 is movably arranged relative to the measure part 3 and further movably arranged relative to the stand part 2 either through the movement of the measure part 3 relative to the stand part 2 or through the movement of the first indication part 41 relative to the stand part 2 or both. The second indication part 42 is arranged in connection with the stand part 2 and in this embodiment of the invention the second indication part 42 is a counter part for the indication rod. The counter part for the indication rod may be a plate as it is in the embodiment shown in figure 2, but the counter part may also be for example the upper surface of the stand part 2 (this kind of embodiment is shown in figure 7) or a portion of the stand part facing towards the indication rod. The second indication part 42 is arranged to form an indication surface for the first indication part 41. The indication portion 4 is arranged to provide an indication in response to the contact between the first and second indication parts 41, 42. The indication can be a visual and/or audible signal and in the embodiment shown in figure 2 the indication is presented with a light 44 that is arranged in connection with the indication portion 4. The first and second indication parts 41, 42 are electrically connected such that when the first and second indication parts 41, 42 form a connection, an electrical connection is formed and the light 44 turns on.

In the embodiment shown in figure 2 the drum tuning device 1 further comprises a measuring scale 6 arranged in connection with the stand part 2. The measuring scale 6 is arranged to visually show the position of the measure part 3 in relation to the measuring scale 6 when the first indication part 41 and the second indication part 42 form a contact. In other words, the drum tuning device 1 further comprises a measuring scale 6 connected to the stand part 2 such that the measuring scale 6 is arranged to indicate the distance between the stand part 2 and the measure part 3. However, the measuring scale 6 may form an individual indication part such that the first indication part 41 is an indication mark arranged in the measure part 3 and the second indication part is the measuring scale 6 connected to the stand part 2 such that the measuring scale 6 is arranged to indicate the vertical distance between the stand part 2 and the measure part 3. This embodiment is shown later in connection with figure 5. Alternatively, the first indication part 41 is a measuring scale 6 arranged in the measure part 3, and the second indication part 42 is an indication element provided in the stand part 2 such that the indication element together with the measuring scale is arranged to indicate the vertical distance between the stand part 2 and the measure part 3.

Figure 3 shows the embodiment of a drum tuning device shown in figure 2 in connection of tuning a drum. The drum tuning device 1 is placed on the drumhead 102 such that the proximal end 21 of the stand part 2 is towards the hoop 103 of the drum 100 and the distal end 22 of the stand part 2 is towards the centre of the drum 100. The measuring head 31 of the measure part 3 is placed on the hoop 103 and the measure part 3 rests on the stand part 2 through the support arms 5, 5' which are connected to the stand part 2 through the second joint connections 52, 52' and to the measure part 3 through the first joint connections 51, 51'. As the measure part 3 is movably supported to the stand part 2 the measuring head 31 can be placed on different sized hoops 103. When the desired tension of the drumhead 102 is found in connection with the first tension rod 104 to be tightened the first indication part 41 is adjusted with the adjustment mechanism 43 such that a connection with the second indication part 42 is formed and the adjustment mechanism maintains the position of the first indication part 41 in that place. Then the next tension rod 104 is tightened with the tuning key 200. The start position of the drum tuning device 1 in connection with the next tension rod 104 to be tightened could be the one shown in figure 3 in which the indication portion 4 comprises a gap between the first and second indication parts 41, 42. In other words, there is no contact between the first indication part 41 and the second indication part 42. Then the tuning key 200 is turned so that the tension rod 104 tightens and the gap between the first and second indication part 41, 42 becomes smaller and finally the contact is formed, which is shown in figure 4.

Figure 4 shows the embodiment of a drum tuning device 1 shown in figure 2 in connection of tuning a drum 100. This figure shows the situation when the tension rod 104 is tightened with the tuning key 200 such that the tension of the drumhead 102 is same as in connection with previous tension rods. The first and second indication parts 41, 42 have formed a connection as shown in the detailed portion of the figure. The point in which the connection is formed between the first indication part 41 and the second indication part 42 can be visually shown with an indicator such as a light 44 or an audible signal. The measuring scale 6 provided in connection with the stand part 2 can form the indication portion 4 together with the measure part 3 such that the position of the measure part 3 is shown in the measuring scale 6 or the measuring scale 6 can be provided in connection with the measure part 3 and form the indication portion 4 together with the stand part 2 such that the relative position between the measure part 3 and the stand part 2 can be shown in the measuring scale 6. The measuring scale can also be an addition to the indication portion 4 comprising a first indication part 41 and a second indication part 42.

The measure part 3 of the drum tuning device 1 is movably supported to the stand part 2, and the joint connections between the measure part 3 and the support arm 5, 5'as well as between the stand part 2 and the support arm 5, 5' are arranged such that the measure part 3 is allowed to lie over or on the stand part 2 by the gravity. In other words, the support arms 5, 5' allow the movement of the measure part 3 in relation to the stand part 2, but they do not prevent the movement of the measure part 3 due to gravity.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the drum tuning device 1 comprising the stand part 2 and the measure part 3. In this embodiment of the drum tuning device 1 the indication portion 4 arranged to indicate a vertical position of the measure part 3 in relation to the stand part 2 is a measuring scale 6. The measuring scale 6 is connected to the stand part 2 such that the measuring scale 6 is arranged to indicate the distance between the stand part 2 and the measure part 3. The lower surface of the measure part 3 forms an indication mark for the measuring scale 6 showing the distance between the stand part 2 and the measure part 3. Alternatively, the measuring scale 6 can be connected to the measure part 3 and the upper surface of the stand part 2 is arranged to form the indication mark for the measuring scale 6 for indication the distance between the measure part 3 and the stand part 2. The data of the distance is to be used in connection with other tension rods when tightening the rods and finding the right tension for the drumhead. Otherwise, the other parts of the drum tuning device 1 are the same as described earlier in connection with figures 1-4.

Figure 6 shows another embodiment of the drum tuning device 1 comprising the stand part 2, the measure part 3 and the indication portion 4 arranged to indication the distance between the stand part 2 and the measure part 3.The indication portion comprises the first indication part 41 which is an optical distance meter and the second indication part 42 which is a counter part for the optical distance meter. The counter part is a plate portion connected to the stand part 2 and providing a counter surface for the optical distance meter. The optical distance meter may comprise an indicator 45 showing shown a visual and/or audible signal based on the measurements and/or predetermined data. Otherwise, the other parts of the drum tuning device 1 are the same as described earlier in connection with figures 1-4. Figure 7 shows yet another embodiment of the drum tuning device 1 in which all the other features are the same as in the drum tuning device 1 shown in figure 6 except that the counter part for the optical distance meter is the upper surface of the stand part 2. In other words, the first indication part 41 is the optical distance meter and the second indication part 42 forming the counter part for the first indication part 41 is the stand part 2, and in particularly part of the upper surface of the stand part 2. Otherwise, the other parts of the drum tuning device 1 are the same as described earlier in connection with figures 1-4.

The invention has been described above with reference to the examples shown in the figures. However, the invention is in no way restricted to the above examples but may vary within the scope of the claims.