Percussive beater with transducer

Abstract

A percussive beater includes an elongated shaft having a first end and a second end; a beater head mechanically coupled to the first end of the elongated shaft; and a transducer mechanically coupled to the beater head, the transducer configured to receive an impact from the beater head and convert the impact into an electrical signal. The percussive beater also includes, in various embodiments, one or more of: an electrical signal filter in electronic communication with the transducer, the electrical signal filter configured to receive the electrical signal, adjust a portion of the electrical signal, and output an adjusted electrical signal; a transducer that is located inside the beater head along with one or more of a wireless connector, an electrical connector or an electrical wire; or a front face that is in direct contact with a padding layer, the padding layer in direct contact with the transducer.

Claims

1. A percussive beater comprising: an elongated shaft having a first end and a second end; a beater head mechanically coupled to the first end of the elongated shaft, the beater head including a front face located on and forming an exterior surface of the beater head, the exterior surface of the beater head for beating a drum; a transducer mechanically coupled to the beater head, the transducer configured to receive an impact from the beater head and convert the impact into an electrical signal; a padding layer in mechanical communication with the transducer such that either (i) the padding layer is located between an interior surface of the front face and the transducer, or (ii) the transducer is located between the interior surface of the front face and the padding layer; and an electrical signal filter in electronic communication with the transducer, the electrical signal filter configured to (i) receive the electrical signal, (ii) adjust a portion of the electrical signal, and (iii) output an adjusted electrical signal.

2. The percussive beater of claim 1 wherein the electrical signal filter is a clipper circuit that removes a portion of the electrical signal that is below predetermined voltage.

3. The percussive beater of claim 2 wherein the predetermined voltage is between 1 and 5 Volts.

4. The percussive beater of claim 1 wherein the electrical signal filter removes a portion of the electrical signal outside of a certain frequency band.

5. The percussive beater of claim 4 wherein the frequency band is between 800 MHz and KHz.

6. The percussive beater of claim 1 further comprising an electrical cable coupled to the elongated shaft, the electrical cable in electrical communication with the transducer and configured to transport the adjusted electrical signal.

7. The percussive beater of claim 6 wherein the electrical cable is received by an audio jack included within the beater head, the audio jack in electrical communication with the electrical signal filter.

8. The percussive beater of claim 6 wherein the cable includes a locking feature configured to (i) allow the cable to detach from the beater head upon application of a detaching force and (ii) prevent the cable from detaching from the beater head inadvertently.

9. The percussive beater of claim 1 further comprising a wireless signal transmitter in electronic communication with the electrical signal filter, the wireless signal transmitter configured to receive the adjusted electrical signal and to transmit the adjusted electrical signal to a signal receiver.

10. The percussive beater of claim 9 wherein the wireless signal transmitter is included in a module with the electrical signal filter and a battery.

11. The percussive beater of claim 1 wherein the padding layer is in mechanical communication with the front face of the beater head.

12. The percussive beater of claim 11 wherein the padding layer is made of a foam material.

13. The percussive beater of claim 11 wherein the padding layer includes expanded polyethylene.

14. The percussive beater of claim 1 wherein the transducer is located inside of the beater head.

15. The percussive beater of claim 1 wherein the transducer is included in a bore of the beater head.

16. The percussive beater of claim 1 wherein the second end of the percussive beater is configured to be coupled to a foot pedal apparatus for use with a kick drum.

17. A percussive beater comprising: an elongated shaft having a first end and a second end; a beater head mechanically coupled to the first end of the elongated shaft, the beater head including a front face located on and forming an exterior surface of the beater head, the exterior surface of the beater head for beating a drum; a padding layer in mechanical communication with the transducer such that either (i) the padding layer is located between an interior surface of the front face and the transducer, or (ii) the transducer is located between the interior surface of the front face and the padding layer; and a transducer mechanically coupled to the beater head, the transducer configured to receive an impact from the beater head and convert the impact into an electrical signal, wherein the transducer and at least one of a wireless connector, an electrical connector or electrical wire are located inside the beater head.

18. The percussive beater of claim 17 wherein the padding layer includes expanded polyethylene.

19. A system for providing percussion sounds, the system comprising: a percussive beater having: an elongated shaft having a first end and a second end; a beater head mechanically coupled to the first end of the elongated shaft, the beater head including a front face; a transducer mechanically coupled to the beater head, the transducer configured to receive an impact from the beater head and convert the impact into an electrical signal; and an electrical signal filter in electronic communication with the transducer, the electrical signal filter configured to (i) receive the electrical signal, (ii) adjust a portion of the electrical signal, and (iii) output an adjusted electrical signal; a trigger module in electronic communication with the percussive beater, the trigger module configured to process the adjusted electrical signal provided by the percussive beater and produce an output signal; and an audio playback device in electronic communication with the percussive beater, the audio playback device configured to play a predetermined sound upon receiving the output signal from the trigger module.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the front face of the beater head is located on and forms an exterior surface of the beater head, the exterior surface of the beater head for beating a drum; and further including a padding layer in mechanical communication with the transducer such that either (i) the padding layer is located between an interior surface of the front face and the transducer, or (ii) the transducer is located between the interior surface of the front face and the padding layer.

21. A percussive beater comprising: an elongated shaft having a first end and a second end; a beater head mechanically coupled to the first end of the elongated shaft, the beater head including a front face; a transducer mechanically coupled to the beater head, the transducer configured to receive an impact from the beater head and convert the impact into an electrical signal; and an electrical signal filter in electronic communication with the transducer, the electrical signal filter configured to (i) receive the electrical signal, (ii) adjust a portion of the electrical signal, and (iii) output an adjusted electrical signal, wherein the electrical signal filter removes a portion of the electrical signal outside of a certain frequency band, the frequency band between 800 MHz and 8.0 KHz.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The foregoing discussion will be understood more readily from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

(2) FIG. 1A is an exploded view of an exemplary drum beater, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 1B is a sectional view of the drum beater of FIG. 1A according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 1C is an isometric view of the drum beater of FIG. 1A according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

(5) FIG. 1D is a front view of the drum beater of FIG. 1A according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

(6) FIG. 1E is a rear view of the drum beater of FIG. 1A according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

(7) FIG. 2A is an exploded view of another exemplary drum beater, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

(8) FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary drum beater, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

(9) FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a system for providing drum sounds according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

(10) FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method of providing a kick drum sound according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(11) FIGS. 1A-1E show various views of an exemplary drum beater (or percussive beater) 100 according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. These views include an exploded view (FIG. 1A), a sectional view (FIG. 1B), an isometric view (FIG. 1C), a front view (FIG. 1D) and a rear view (FIG. 1E) of the drum beater 100. As depicted, the drum beater 100 includes an elongated shaft 104 having a first end 108 and a second end 112. The drum beater 100 also includes a beater head 116 that is mechanically coupled to (e.g., fixed to by molding and/or substantially enclosing) the first end 108 of the elongated shaft 104. The drum beater 100 also includes a transducer 120 that is mechanically coupled to the beater head 116. The transducer 120 is configured to receive an impact or sound waves from the beater head 116 and to convert the impact or sound waves into an electrical signal 124.

(12) The drum beater 100 also includes an audio jack 128 that is electrically connected (e.g., through a signal and ground wire) to the transducer 120 and is configured to receive the electrical signal 124. The audio jack 128 can fit snugly into a bore 132 of the beater head 116 configured to receive the audio jack 128. In some embodiments, the audio jack 128 has a feature 130 that aids alignment of the audio jack 128 within the bore 132 and limits the depth to which the audio jack 128 is taken into the bore 132. The audio jack 128 can itself have a bore 136 that is configured to receive a locking cable 140. In some embodiments, the locking cable 140 can include a length of wire that can be secured (e.g., clipped) to the elongated shaft 104.

(13) In some embodiments, the drum beater 100 includes a padding layer (e.g., a foam layer, for example made of expanded polyethylene or a similar material) 144 that can protect the transducer 120 and can expand the lifespan of the drum beater 100. The padding layer 144 fits into a second bore 146 in the beater head 116, the second bore 146 shaped to receive the padding layer 144 snugly. The transducer 120 can fit snugly between the padding layer 144 and the interior of the beater head 116. In some embodiments, the drum beater 100 includes a front face 148 (e.g., for beating the drum) located on and forming an exterior surface of the beater head 116. The front face 148 can have, for example, a rounded or a square shape, and can be made of rubber, foam, felt or wood, among other materials. In some embodiments, the beater head 116 includes a feature 150 (e.g., one or more lips or snap features) to contain the front face 148 snugly within the beater head 116. The padding layer 144 can be located behind the front face 148. The padding layer 144 can also be in direct or indirect physical contact with the front face 148. In some embodiments, the drum beater 100 includes an insert 152 that can function as a branding device, such as a plastic plate having a logo or design. In some embodiments, the drum beater 100 includes a rear face 156 opposite the front face 148.

(14) In some embodiments, the transducer 120 is an electroacoustic transducer such as a piezo microphone having a circular perimeter. The transducer 120 can receive an impact or sound waves via the front face 148 when the drum beater 100 is struck against a drum and convert the impact or sound waves into an electrical signal 124, which can be provided to the cable 140 (e.g., directly or indirectly). In some embodiments, the electrical signal 124 travels through the cable 140 onto an electronic component to which the cable 140 is connected (e.g., a trigger module as shown and described below in FIG. 3 or directly onto an audio playback device). In some embodiments, the transducer 120 is configured to produce an electrical signal only when it receives a sound wave in a certain specified range, e.g., in the range of 800 MHz to 8 KHz or 6.4 KHz to 7.6 KHz. In some embodiments, the cable 140 is detachable from the audio jack 128. In some embodiments, the cable 140 includes a locking feature (e.g., a thread that is screwed into the audio jack 128). In some embodiments, the drum beater 100 further includes a cable holder that restricts the cable movement. In some embodiments, the front face 148 of the beater head shields the transducer 120, in combination with the padding layer 144, to limit damage to the transducer 120 upon impact. In some embodiments, the transducer 120 is configured to produce an electrical signal when it receives a single voltage peak.

(15) FIG. 2A is an exploded view of another drum beater 200, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The drum beater 200 can include similar elements to those shown and described above in FIGS. 1A-1E, for example, an elongated shaft 204 having a first end 208 and a second end 212 opposite the first end 208, a beater head 216 mechanically coupled to the elongated shaft 204, a transducer 220 for producing an electrical signal 224, an audio jack 228, a padding layer 244, and a front face 248. These elements can be interrelated in similar ways and perform similar functions to those shown and described in connection with FIGS. 1A-1E. In addition, the drum beater 200 as depicted also differs in certain respects from the drum beater 100 shown and described in FIG. 1. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that one or more features of each of these drum beaters 100, 200 can be included in various combinations not explicitly shown in this document.

(16) For example, the drum beater 200 can include a filter 268 (e.g., an electrical signal filter in electronic communication with the transducer 220). The electrical signal filter 268 can be configured to (i) receive the electrical signal 224, (ii) remove a portion of the electrical signal, and (iii) output an adjusted electrical signal 272 (e.g., to a cable as described above or to a wireless module such as a Bluetooth module). In some embodiments, the electrical signal filter 268 is a clipper circuit that removes any portion of the electrical signal that is below predetermined voltage, e.g., a voltage in the range of 1 to 5 Volts, such as 2.5 Volts. In some embodiments, the predetermined voltage is user-adjustable (e.g., by adjusting a voltage knob or other user-adjustable setting). In some embodiments, the electrical signal filter 268 removes any portion of the electrical signal outside 224 of a certain frequency band, e.g., anything outside of the band between 800 MHz and 8.0 KHz (or a more narrow band such as the band between 6.4 KHz and 7.6 KHz), or another band that is focused on the frequencies typically outputted by the device of interest (e.g., a kick drum or another drum). In some embodiments, the electrical signal filter 268 and the audio jack 228 are included in a single, unitary module that also contains a wireless module (e.g., a Bluetooth device) and/or a battery.

(17) FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of another drum beater 500, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The drum beater 500 includes an elongated shaft 504 having a first end 508 and a second end 512 opposite the first end 508. The drum beater 500 also includes a beater head 516 that is mechanically coupled to the first end 508 of the elongated shaft 504. The drum beater 500 can include similar components to those depicted and described above, including a transducer 520, an audio jack 528, a padding layer 544, and a front face 548. In addition, some differences and/or additional features are visible in this cross-sectional view. For example, in the drum beater 500, a wire 550 electrically connects the transducer 520 to the audio jack 528. The wire 550 spans a first internal bore 570 of the beater head 516 and folds (e.g., in a near-90-degree turn) into a second internal bore 580. In some embodiments, the first and second internal bores 570, 580 exist to accommodate the wire 550, which transports electrical current within the wire 550 from the transducer 520 to the audio jack 528. In some embodiments, an electrical signal filter 584 is interspersed in the wire 550 and performs a function similar to the electrical signal filter 268 shown and described above, which can include conditioning and/or clipping of the signal produced by the transducer 520. In this embodiment, the transducer 520 is located between the padding layer 544 and the front face 548, which is another possible arrangement for these components.

(18) FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a system 300 for providing drum sounds according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The system 300 includes a drum beater 304, a trigger module 308 (e.g., a Roland TM2), and a sound playback device 316 (e.g., a laptop, an audio mixing board or audio interface, a pair of headphones, a live speaker in concert, a drum machine, a sample player, or any other device capable of receiving and playing an audio signal) via an electrical wire 312. As depicted, the drum beater 304 communicates with the trigger module 308 using a wireless signal 306 (e.g., a Bluetooth module), although hardwired or other configurations are possible as well. Similarly, although the trigger module 308 communicates with the sound playback device 316 via wire 312, a wireless connection or other electronic communication configuration known in the art may be used instead. In some embodiments, the drum beater 304 can be connected electronically (e.g., wirelessly or via hardwire) to the sound playback device 316 directly.

(19) FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method 400 of providing a kick drum sound according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. In a first step 405, a trigger module (e.g., the trigger module 308 shown and described above in FIG. 3) receives an electrical signal provided by a drum beater (e.g., the drum beater 300 shown and described above in connection with FIG. 3). In a second step 410, the trigger module processes the electrical signal provided by the drum beater and creates an output signal based upon the incoming electrical signal. In some embodiments, the output signal is a MIDI signal or an audio file corresponding to a drum sound. In a third step 415, the trigger module provides the output signal to an audio playback device (e.g., the audio playback device 316 shown and described above in connection with FIG. 3). In some embodiments, the output signal corresponds to an indication to play any audio file based on the incoming signal.

(20) While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.