DRUM

Abstract

There is disclosed a drum including an impact surface, arranged to be struck such that the drum is beaten, and an electronic screen, the drum having electronic connectivity so as to be able to receive electronic signals such that an output of the screen is based on said signals.

Claims

1. A drum including an impact surface, arranged to be struck such that the drum is beaten, and an electronic screen, the drum having electronic connectivity so as to be able to receive electronic signals such that an output of the screen is based on said signals.

2. A drum according to claim 1, having at least one data connector for receiving said signals via a wired connection, said connectivity thus comprising wired connectivity.

3. A drum according to claim 1, having a wireless receiver for receiving said signals wirelessly, said connectivity thus comprising wireless connectivity.

4. A drum according to claim 1, having opposite first and second ends, wherein said impact surface is arranged at said first end and said screen is arranged at said second end, and wherein the screen and impact surface face outwardly in opposite directions.

5. A drum according to claim 1, wherein the screen and surface are circular and substantially concentric.

6. A drum according to claim 4, wherein the screen occupies substantially the entirety of an area of said second end.

7. A drum according to claim 1, being an acoustic drum comprising a shell and a taut membrane or drumhead which is supported from the shell and defines said impact surface.

8. A drum according to claim 7, wherein the screen is contained within said shell and/or secured to said shell.

9. A drum according to claim 7, comprising an acoustic membrane which overlies the screen at said second end and through which the output can be seen.

10. A drum according to claim 9, wherein the screen is adjacent the membrane overlying it, such that the output appears to be from that membrane.

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. A drum according to claim 1, said drum being ventilated such that heat generated by the screen can escape from an interior of the drum.

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. A drum according to claim 1, including a fan or blower arranged to drive heat generated by the screen from said drum.

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. A drum according to claim 1, being an electronic drum comprising an electric drum pad which defines said impact surface.

20. A drum according to claim 1, wherein the screen is an LED screen.

21. A drum according to claim 1, being a bass drum.

22. A system comprising: a drum according to claim 1; and an electronic source connected to the drum and arranged to provide said signals to said drum.

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. A system according to claim 22, wherein said source comprises a computer.

26. A system according to claim 22, further comprising a controller operable to control content and/or timing of the output.

27. A system according to claim 26, wherein the controller is arranged to be operable by a drummer stationed at the drum.

28. A method of operating a system according to claim 22, comprising striking said impact surface to play the drum during the output from the screen.

29. (canceled)

Description

DRAWINGS

[0024] The invention will be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a drum which includes an electronic screen which is turned off;

[0026] FIG. 2 shows the drum of FIG. 1 with the screen turned on;

[0027] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a rim assembly to which the screen is securable; and

[0028] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the screen and rim of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an acoustic bass drum 1 including a rear impact surface 2 (see FIG. 4) arranged to be struck via a foot pedal to produce sound. The drum 1 also includes an LCD screen 3 and has electronic connectivity for receiving electronic signals such that an output of the screen 3 is based on those signals. For example, the drum 1 can have at least one data port 7A for receiving said signals via a wired connection, comprising, for example, an HDMI cable and/or USB cable. In FIG. 2, the screen 3 is shown connected to a computer via such a cable 20A plugged into port 7A, the output of the screen in the particular example shown being a static image corresponding to an image stored on the computer.

[0030] With reference to FIG. 4, the impact surface 2 is arranged at a first end 4 of the drum 1, and the screen 3 is arranged towards an opposing second end 5, with the screen 3 and the impact surface 2 facing outwardly in opposite directions. Accordingly, the output of the screen 3 can face outwardly and be seen by an audience.

[0031] Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the acoustic drum 1 comprises a shell 6, with the impact surface 2 being defined by a drumhead (not shown) supported from the shell 6. An acoustic membrane 8 is arranged at the second end 5 of the drum 1.

[0032] The screen 3 is contained within the shell 6 between the drumhead and the membrane 8, and is arranged such that the screen 3 is adjacent, and almost flush with the membrane 8. This second end membrane 8 overlies the screen 3 and is configured such that the output of the screen 3 can be seen therethrough. In the depicted embodiment, this second end membrane 8 is substantially transparent, though it is of course possible for the membrane to have different levels of transparency/translucency to provide interesting visual effects. By arranging the screen 3 adjacent the overlying membrane 8 (see FIG. 4), the output from the screen 3 appears to project directly from the membrane 8, thereby giving the impression that the drum 1 is “alive” and is itself visually dynamic.

[0033] In the depicted acoustic bass drum 1, the screen 3 and the impact surface 2 are circular and substantially concentric, and the screen 3 occupies substantially the entirety of an area of said second end 5. As such, any frame that borders the screen 3 is concealed within the drum 1, and it appears as though the output of the screen 3 projects directly from the overlying second end membrane 8.

[0034] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a rim assembly 9 to which the screen 3 is=securable, the rim assembly 9 being securable at the second end 5 of the drum 1. The rim assembly 9 is configured with vents 10 (FIG. 4) such that heat generated by the screen 3 can escape from an interior of the drum 1. To this end, and with reference to FIG. 3, the rim assembly 9 includes a series of annular rings 11 comprising discrete openings 12 which, when the rings 11 are assembled and the openings 12 are aligned with one another, provide ventilation pathways 10 (see FIG. 4) for air to enter into and exit from the interior of the drum 1. A backing wall/face 13 of the rim assembly 9 carries two fans 14 arranged to drive heat generated by the screen 3 from the drum 1. With the rim assembly 9 attached to the drum shell 6, as seen in FIG. 4, the fans 14 are arranged within the shell 6 and work to suck cool air into the interior of the drum 1 while facilitating the escape of warmer air out therefrom, via the ventilation pathways 10.

[0035] The drum 1 includes a power socket to receive a power plug on a mains power cable 20B for powering the screen 3 and fans 14.

[0036] Other drums with different configurations, dimensions and geometries can, without departure from the invention, be provided, the drums having correspondingly sized and shaped electronic screens. Additionally, it is acknowledged that drum membranes may include openings to allow air to escape for shorter sustain; the term “membrane” used throughout this specification is intended to include such drum membranes. Also possible without departure from the invention are drums in which the screen defines the exterior face of the drum at the second end (instead of being arranged behind a membrane).

[0037] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments.

[0038] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0039] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.