초록 ▼

A percussion instrument is disclosed that may include a body having a longitudinal axis extending from a butt end to a striking end thereof and at least one hole extending along a transverse axis through the thickness of the body; and a grasping mechanism having a first grip plate at a first end the

A percussion instrument is disclosed that may include a body having a longitudinal axis extending from a butt end to a striking end thereof and at least one hole extending along a transverse axis through the thickness of the body; and a grasping mechanism having a first grip plate at a first end thereof and a second grip plate at a second end thereof, and at least one shaft extending through the hole in the body. The percussion instrument may further include a compliance mechanism disposed between the first and second grip plates, enabling the first and second grip plates to be brought closer together in response to a compressive force applied to the grasping mechanism. Additionally or alternatively, the percussion instrument may include one or more recesses or bores that operate to permit the grip plates to be disposed therein for a more compact design.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A percussion instrument comprising: a body having a longitudinal axis extending from a butt end to a striking end thereof and at least one hole extending through the thickness of the body substantially along and/or through one or more axes that are different from the longitudinal axis;a grasping

1. A percussion instrument comprising: a body having a longitudinal axis extending from a butt end to a striking end thereof and at least one hole extending through the thickness of the body substantially along and/or through one or more axes that are different from the longitudinal axis;a grasping mechanism having a first grip plate at a first end thereof and a second grip plate at a second end thereof, at least one shaft extending from the first grip plate through a first hole of the at least one hole in the body to the second grip plate, and a releasable connection between the first grip plate and the second grip plate such that the grasping mechanism operates to be positioned in the first hole of the at least one hole and the first grip plate and the second grip plate operate to be disconnected from each other and/or connected/re-connected to each other such that the grasping mechanism operates to be positioned in another of the at least one hole when the at least one hole comprises at least two holes and/or re-positioned in the at least one hole; anda compliance mechanism disposed between the first and second grip plates, enabling the first and second grip plates to be moved closer together in response to a compressive force applied to the grasping mechanism. 2. The percussion instrument of claim 1, wherein the releasable connection comprises at least one of: a threaded connection; a snap or press fit connection and a friction fit connection. 3. The percussion instrument of claim 1, wherein the first hole of the at least one hole includes at least one recess or bore disposed or located substantially at an end of the first hole, the at least one recess or bore being sized and/or shaped to receive at least a portion of at least one of the first grip plate and the second grip plate therein such that the at least one recess or bore operates to permit the first grip plate and/or the second grip plate to be positioned at least one of: (i) closer to each other than when not having the at least one recess or bore; and/or (ii) closer to the surface of the body of the percussion instrument. 4. The percussion instrument of claim 3, wherein at least the first hole of the at least one hole includes at least one of: (i) a first recess or bore of the at least one recess or bore at a first end of the first hole operating to permit at least a portion of the first grip plate to be disposed therein; and (ii) a second recess or bore of the at least one recess or bore at a second end of the first hole operating to permit at least a portion of the second grip plate to be disposed therein. 5. The percussion instrument of claim 4, wherein the at least one hole comprises at least two holes, each of the at least two holes including the first and second recesses or bores at respective ends thereof. 6. The percussion instrument of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first grip plate and the second grip plate includes a pad thereon, the pad operating to provide a comfortable and/or ergonomic surface for gripping at least the grasping mechanism of the percussion instrument. 7. The percussion instrument of claim 6, wherein the pad includes a surface that is at least one of: curved, sloped, chamfered, convex, concave, rounded, substantially flat, and recessed. 8. The percussion instrument of claim 1, wherein the at least one hole is sized and shaped to operate to at least one of: permit the grasping mechanism and/or the compliance mechanism to be positioned therein such that a zone of space of a predetermined size is located between the at least one hole and the grasping mechanism and/or the compliance mechanism, thereby permitting the grasping mechanism and/or the compliance mechanism to move freely within the at least one hole;permit the grasping mechanism and/or the compliance mechanism to be positioned therein such that a zone of space of a predetermined size is located between the at least one hole and the grasping mechanism and/or the compliance mechanism, thereby permitting the grasping mechanism and/or the compliance mechanism to move freely in at least a direction that is substantially along the length of the at least one hole within the at least one hole;permit the grasping mechanism and/or the compliance mechanism to be positioned therein and to be spaced away therefrom such that the grasping mechanism and/or the compliance mechanism operates to make one or more audible noises when hitting against the at least one hole, thereby permitting the grasping mechanism and/or the compliance mechanism to move freely within the at least one hole;permit the grasping mechanism and/or the compliance mechanism to be positioned therein and to be spaced away therefrom such that the grasping mechanism and/or the compliance mechanism operates to make one or more audible noises when hitting against the at least one hole, thereby permitting the grasping mechanism and/or the compliance mechanism to move freely in at least a direction that is substantially along the length of the at least one hole within the at least one hole; andpermit the grasping mechanism and/or the compliance mechanism to be positioned therein and to be in contact with at least a portion thereof. 9. The percussion instrument of claim 1, wherein at least one of: (i) one or more components of the grasping mechanism are made of at least one of: wood, plastic, metal, rubber, hard rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and fiber;(ii) one or more components of the compliance mechanism are made of at least one of: wood, plastic, metal, rubber, hard rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and fiber; and(iii) one or more components of the body are made of at least one of: wood, plastic, metal, rubber, hard rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and fiber. 10. The percussion instrument of claim 1, wherein at least one of: (i) the at least one shaft of the grasping mechanism is substantially stationary or fixed in a predetermined position within the at least one hole and at least one of the first grip plate and the second grip plate are connected to the at least one shaft such that the at least one of the first grip plate and the second grip plate at least one of spin, rotate, swivel and tilt on respective ends of the grasping mechanism;(ii) the at least one shaft of the grasping mechanism is substantially stationary or fixed in a predetermined position within the at least one hole and at least one of the first grip plate and the second grip plate are connected to the at least one shaft such that the at least one of the first grip plate and the second grip plate at least one of spin, rotate, swivel and tilt on respective ends of the grasping mechanism, wherein the connection between the at least one shaft and the at least one of the first grip plate and the second grip plate comprises at least one of: a screw, a nail, a ball-snap combination, a pin-bearing combination, and a pin-ball bearing combination;(iii) at least a portion of the at least one shaft of the grasping mechanism is in contact with at least a portion of an inside wall of the at least one hole such that the at least one shaft is substantially stationary or fixed in a predetermined position within the at least one hole;(iv) at least one of the first grip plate and the second grip plate are connected to the at least one shaft such that the at least one of the first grip plate and the second grip plate at least one of spin, rotate, swivel and tilt on respective ends of the grasping mechanism; and(v) the at least one shaft is integral with the body. 11. The percussion instrument of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first recess or bore and the second recess or bore at least one of: comprises at least one of: a gauged out radius, a depression, an aperture, a concave radius, a spherical radius, a groove, and a cavity;includes a shape that substantially comprises at least one of: a square, a rectangle, a circle, and an oval; andincludes at least one of: one or more chamfered edges or surfaces, one or more sloped edges or surfaces, one or more curved edges or surfaces, one or more convex edges or surfaces, one or more concave edges or surfaces, one or more substantially flat edges or surfaces, one or more rounded edges or surfaces, one or more edges or surfaces positioned in relation to each other at substantially right angles, one or more substantially flat edges or surfaces extending from a perimeter of the body at substantially a right angle, and a first chamfered or sloped edge or surface extending from the perimeter of the body to a substantially flat edge or surface on a first side of the substantially flat edge or surface and a second chamfered or sloped edge or surface extending from the perimeter of the body to the substantially flat edge or surface on a second side of the substantially flat edge or surface. 12. The percussion instrument of claim 1, wherein at least one of: (i) the axis of the hole and the longitudinal axis of the body at least one of: extend in different directions, are not parallel and are not co-linear; and(ii) the axis of the hole extends at least one of: across the longitudinal axis of the body; is transverse or substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body; is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body; through the body and crosses over the longitudinal axis of the body; and along an axis that extends through, and crosses over from one side of the body to another side of the body. 13. A percussion instrument comprising: a body having a longitudinal axis extending from a butt end to a striking end thereof and at least one hole extending through the thickness of the body substantially along and/or through an axis that is different from the longitudinal axis; anda grasping mechanism having a first grip plate at a first end thereof and a second grip plate at a second end thereof, at least one shaft extending from the first grip plate through a first hole of the at least one hole in the body to the second grip plate, and a releasable connection between the first grip plate and the second grip plate such that the grasping mechanism operates to be positioned in the first hole of the at least one hole and the first grip plate and the second grip plate operate to be disconnected from each other and/or connected/re-connected to each other such that the grasping mechanism operates to be positioned in another of the at least one hole when the at least one hole comprises at least two holes and/or re-positioned in the at least one hole, wherein the at least one hole is sized and shaped to operate to at least one of:(i) permit the grasping mechanism to be positioned therein such that a zone of space of a predetermined size is located between the at least one shaft of the grasping mechanism and the at least one hole, thereby permitting the grasping mechanism to move freely within the at least one hole;(ii) permit the grasping mechanism to be positioned therein such that a zone of space of a predetermined size is located between the at least one hole and the grasping mechanism, thereby permitting the grasping mechanism to move freely in at least a direction that is substantially along the length of the at least one hole within the at least one hole;(iii) permit the grasping mechanism to be positioned therein and to be spaced away therefrom such that the grasping mechanism operates to make one or more audible noises when hitting against the at least one hole, thereby permitting the grasping mechanism to move freely in at least a direction that is substantially along the length of the at least one hole within the at least one hole; and(iv) permit the grasping mechanism to be positioned therein and to be spaced away therefrom such that the grasping mechanism operates to make one or more audible noises when hitting against the at least one hole, thereby permitting the grasping mechanism to move freely within the at least one hole. 14. The percussion instrument of claim 13, wherein the releasable connection comprises at least one of: a threaded connection; a snap or press fit connection and a friction fit connection. 15. The percussion instrument of claim 13, wherein the first hole of the at least one hole includes at least one recess or bore disposed or located substantially at an end of the first hole, the at least one recess or bore being sized and/or shaped to receive at least a portion of at least one of the first grip plate and the second grip plate therein such that the at least one recess or bore operates to permit the first grip plate and/or the second grip plate to be positioned at least one of: (i) closer to each other than when not having the at least one recess or bore; and/or (ii) closer to the surface of the body of the percussion instrument. 16. The percussion instrument of claim 15, wherein at least the first hole of the at least one hole includes at least one of: (i) a first recess or bore of the at least one recess or bore at a first end of the first hole operating to permit at least a portion of the first grip plate to be disposed therein; and (ii) a second recess or bore of the at least one recess or bore at a second end of the first hole operating to permit at least a portion of the second grip plate to be disposed therein. 17. The percussion instrument of claim 16, wherein the at least one hole comprises at least two holes, each of the at least two holes including the first and second recesses or bores at respective ends thereof. 18. The percussion instrument of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first grip plate and the second grip plate includes a pad thereon, the pad operating to provide a comfortable and/or ergonomic surface for gripping at least the grasping mechanism of the percussion instrument. 19. The percussion instrument of claim 18, wherein the pad includes a surface that is at least one of: curved, sloped, chamfered, convex, concave, rounded, substantially flat, and recessed. 20. The percussion instrument of claim 13, wherein the at least one hole is sized and shaped to further operate to permit the grasping mechanism to be positioned therein and to be in contact with at least a portion thereof. 21. The percussion instrument of claim 13, wherein at least one of: (i) one or more components of the grasping mechanism are made of at least one of: wood, plastic, metal, rubber, hard rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and fiber; and(ii) one or more components of the body are made of at least one of: wood, plastic, metal, rubber, hard rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and fiber. 22. The percussion instrument of claim 13, wherein at least one of: (i) the at least one shaft of the grasping mechanism is substantially stationary or fixed in a predetermined position within the at least one hole and at least one of the first grip plate and the second grip plate are connected to the at least one shaft such that the at least one of the first grip plate and the second grip plate at least one of spin, rotate, swivel and tilt on respective ends of the grasping mechanism;(ii) the at least one shaft of the grasping mechanism is substantially stationary or fixed in a predetermined position within the at least one hole and at least one of the first grip plate and the second grip plate are connected to the at least one shaft such that the at least one of the first grip plate and the second grip plate at least one of spin, rotate, swivel and tilt on respective ends of the grasping mechanism, wherein the connection between the at least one shaft and the at least one of the first grip plate and the second grip plate comprises at least one of: a screw, a nail, a ball-snap combination, a pin-bearing combination, and a pin-ball bearing combination;(iii) at least a portion of the at least one shaft of the grasping mechanism is in contact with at least a portion of an inside wall of the at least one hole such that the at least one shaft is substantially stationary or fixed in a predetermined position within the at least one hole;(iv) at least one of the first grip plate and the second grip plate are connected to the at least one shaft such that the at least one of the first grip plate and the second grip plate at least one of spin, rotate, swivel and tilt on respective ends of the grasping mechanism; and(v) the at least one shaft is integral with the body. 23. The percussion instrument of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first recess or bore and the second recess or bore at least one of: comprises at least one of: a gauged out radius, a depression, an aperture, a concave radius, a spherical radius, a groove, and a cavity;includes a shape that substantially comprises at least one of: a square, a rectangle, a circle, and an oval; andincludes at least one of: one or more chamfered edges or surfaces, one or more sloped edges or surfaces, one or more curved edges or surfaces, one or more convex edges or surfaces, one or more concave edges or surfaces, one or more substantially flat edges or surfaces, one or more rounded edges or surfaces, one or more edges or surfaces positioned in relation to each other at substantially right angles, one or more substantially flat edges or surfaces extending from a perimeter of the body at substantially a right angle, and a first chamfered or sloped edge or surface extending from the perimeter of the body to a substantially flat edge or surface on a first side of the substantially flat edge or surface and a second chamfered or sloped edge or surface extending from the perimeter of the body to the substantially flat edge or surface on a second side of the substantially flat edge or surface. 24. The percussion instrument of claim 13, wherein at least one of: (i) the axis of the hole and the longitudinal axis of the body at least one of: extend in different directions, are not parallel and are not co-linear; and(ii) the axis of the hole extends at least one of: across the longitudinal axis of the body; is transverse or substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body; is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body; through the body and crosses over the longitudinal axis of the body; and along an axis that extends through, and crosses over from one side of the body to another side of the body. 25. A percussion instrument comprising: a body having a longitudinal axis extending from a butt end to a striking end thereof and at least one hole extending through the thickness of the body substantially along and/or through an axis that is different from the longitudinal axis; anda hinge having a first disc at a first end thereof and a second disc at a second end thereof, at least one shaft extending from the first disc through the at least one hole in the body to the second disc, and a releasable connection between the first disc and the second disc such that the grasping mechanism operates to be positioned in the at least one hole and the first disc and the second disc operate to be disconnected from each other and/or connected/re-connected to each other such that the hinge operates to be positioned in another of the at least one hole when the at least one hole comprises at least two holes and/or re-positioned in the at least one hole, wherein(i) the at least one hole includes at least one recess or bore disposed or located substantially at an end thereof, the at least one recess or bore being sized and/or shaped to receive at least a portion of at least one of the first disc and the second disc therein such that the at least one recess or bore operates to permit the first disc and/or the second disc to be positioned at least one of: (i) closer to each other than when not having the at least one recess or bore; and/or (ii) closer to the surface of the body of the percussion instrument; and(ii) the releasable connection operates to be at least one of: controlled by hand and controlled without a tool. 26. The percussion instrument of claim 25, wherein at least one of: (i) the releasable connection comprises at least one of: a threaded connection; a snap or press fit connection and a friction fit connection;(ii) the at least one hole includes at least one of: a first of the at least one recess or bore at a first end of the at least one hole operating to permit at least a portion of the first disc to be disposed therein; and a second of the at least one recess or bore at a second end of the at least one hole operating to permit at least a portion of the second disc to be disposed therein;(iii) at least one of the first disc and the second disc includes a pad thereon, the pad operating to provide a more comfortable and/or ergonomic surface for gripping at least the hinge of the percussion instrument and the pad including a surface that is at least one of: curved, sloped, chamfered, convex, concave, rounded, substantially flat, and recessed;(iv) the at least one hole is sized and shaped to operate to at least one of: permit the hinge to be positioned therein such that a zone of space of a predetermined size is located between the at least one shaft of the hinge and the at least one hole, thereby permitting the hinge to move freely within the at least one hole;permit the hinge to be positioned therein such that a zone of space of a predetermined size is located between the at least one hole and the hinge, thereby permitting the hinge to move freely in at least a direction that is substantially along the length of the at least one hole within the at least one hole;permit the hinge to be positioned therein and to be spaced away therefrom such that the hinge operates to make one or more audible noises when hitting against the at least one hole, thereby permitting the hinge to move freely in at least a direction that is substantially along the length of the at least one hole within the at least one hole;permit the hinge to be positioned therein and to be spaced away therefrom such that the hinge operates to make one or more audible noises when hitting against the at least one hole, thereby permitting the hinge to move freely within the at least one hole; andpermit the hinge to be positioned therein and to be in contact with at least a portion thereof; and(v) at least one of: (a) one or more components of the hinge are made of at least one of: wood, plastic, metal, rubber, hard rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and fiber; and(b) one or more components of the body are made of at least one of: wood, plastic, metal, rubber, hard rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and fiber. 27. The percussion instrument of claim 26, wherein at least one of: (i) the at least one shaft of the hinge is substantially stationary or fixed in a predetermined position within the at least one hole and at least one of the first disc, the second disc, the pad of the first disc and the pad of the second disc are connected to the at least one shaft such that the at least one of the first disc, the second disc, the pad of the first disc and the pad of the second disc at least one of spin, rotate, swivel and tilt on respective ends of the hinge;(ii) the at least one shaft of the hinge is substantially stationary or fixed in a predetermined position within the at least one hole and at least one of the first disc, the second disc, the pad of the first disc and the pad of the second disc are connected to the at least one shaft such that the at least one of the first disc, the second disc, the pad of the first disc and the pad of the second disc at least one of spin, rotate, swivel and tilt on respective ends of the hinge, wherein the connection between the at least one shaft and the at least one of the first disc, the second disc, the pad of the first disc and the pad of the second disc comprises at least one of: a screw, a nail, a ball-snap combination, a pin-bearing combination, and a pin-ball bearing combination;(iii) at least a portion of the at least one shaft of the hinge is in contact with at least a portion of an inside wall of the at least one hole such that the at least one shaft is substantially stationary or fixed in a predetermined position within the at least one hole;(iv) at least one of the first disc, the second disc, the pad of the first disc and the pad of the second disc are connected to the at least one shaft such that the at least one of the first disc, the second disc, the pad of the first disc and the pad of the second disc at least one of spin, rotate, swivel and tilt on respective ends of the hinge;(v) the at least one shaft is integral with the body; and(vi) at least one of the first disc, the second disc, the pad of the first disc and the pad of the second disc are connected to the at least one shaft such that the at least one of the first disc, the second disc, the pad of the first disc and the pad of the second disc at least one of spin, rotate, swivel and tilt on respective ends of the hinge, wherein at least one of the first disc, the second disc, the pad of the first disc and the pad of the second disc at least one of: spin, rotate, swivel and tilt inside the at least one recess or bore; andspin, rotate, swivel and tilt outside the at least one recess or bore. 28. The percussion instrument of claim 26, wherein at least one of the first recess or bore and the second recess or bore at least one of: comprises at least one of: a gauged out radius, a depression, an aperture, a concave radius, a spherical radius, a groove, and a cavity;includes a shape that substantially comprises at least one of: a square, a rectangle, a circle, and an oval; andincludes at least one of: one or more chamfered edges or surfaces, one or more sloped edges or surfaces, one or more curved edges or surfaces, one or more convex edges or surfaces, one or more concave edges or surfaces, one or more substantially flat edges or surfaces, one or more rounded edges or surfaces, one or more edges or surfaces positioned in relation to each other at substantially right angles, one or more substantially flat edges or surfaces extending from a perimeter of the body at substantially a right angle, and a first chamfered or sloped edge or surface extending from the perimeter of the body to a substantially flat edge or surface on a first side of the substantially flat edge or surface and a second chamfered or sloped edge or surface extending from the perimeter of the body to the substantially flat edge or surface on a second side of the substantially flat edge or surface. 29. The percussion instrument of claim 25, wherein at least one of: (i) the axis of the hole and the longitudinal axis of the body at least one of: extend in different directions, are not parallel and are not co-linear; and(ii) the axis of the hole extends at least one of: across the longitudinal axis of the body; is transverse or substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body; is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body; through the body and crosses over the longitudinal axis of the body; and along an axis that extends through, and crosses over from one side of the body to another side of the body. 30. A percussion instrument comprising: a body having a longitudinal axis extending from a butt end to a striking end thereof and at least one hole extending through the thickness of the body substantially along and/or through an axis that is different from the longitudinal axis;a grasping mechanism having a first grip plate at a first end thereof and a second grip plate at a second end thereof, and a fastener extending from the first grip plate through the at least one hole in the body to the second grip plate,wherein the fastener includes a first shaft connected to the first grip plate, a second shaft connected to the second grip plate, and a screw located between the first and second shafts, the screw operates to attach the first shaft to the second shaft and the screw having a shaft or body that operates to be disposed or positioned within the first shaft of the fastener and the second shaft of the fastener. 31. The percussion instrument of claim 30, wherein first and second portions of the screw engage threaded regions on the first shaft of the fastener and the second shaft of the fastener, respectively. 32. The percussion instrument of claim 30, comprising first and second O-rings located between an outside surface of the body and the inside surfaces of the first and second grip plates, respectively. 33. The percussion instrument of claim 30, wherein the screw comprises a set screw, and first and second portions of the set screw engage threaded regions on the first shaft of the fastener and second shaft of the fastener, respectively. 34. The percussion instrument of claim 30, wherein at least one of: (i) the axis of the hole and the longitudinal axis of the body at least one of: extend in different directions, are not parallel and are not co-linear; and(ii) the axis of the hole extends at least one of: across the longitudinal axis of the body; is transverse or substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body; is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body; through the body and crosses over the longitudinal axis of the body; and along an axis that extends through, and crosses over from one side of the body to another side of the body.