- Rockin’ Patent: US Patent No. 4,048,895
- Filed: 12 October 1976
- In the name of: Randall L. May
- Title: Adjustable Pitch Drum
- What’s claimed: ”An adjustable musical drum assembly comprising, a cylindrical drum shell having an open end, a supporting spider having a fixed support with a threaded opening therein substantially axial of said drum shell, said spider having a plurality of outwardly extending supporting legs having rebent outer end portions fitting over the open end of said drum shell, a drum hoop positioned around the rebent end portions of said spider supporting legs and securing the same on said drum shell, a threaded supporting rod having one end threaded adjustably in said threaded opening, a locking nut threaded on said rod and adapted to lock said rod in said threaded opening in any predetermined position, and drum head tuning means comprising a drum head mounted on supporting means rotatably threaded on said rod and tension means non-rotatably mounted on the rod end opposite said one end of said rod, said drum head being stretched over said tension means, whereby rotation of said drum head supporting means varies the tension of the drum head and threaded of said supporting rod in said supporting spider varies the spacing of said drum head from said shell open end.”
- Why this patent rocks: This patent involves the ‘Rototom’ drum which can be tuned simply by rotating the drumhead. Rotation raises or lowers the tension hoop relative to the rim which increases or decreases the tension of the drumhead, thereby increasing or decreasing the pitch. Notable users include Queen, Duran Duran, and the Foo Fighters. If you’re curious to know more about the Rototom, see here.
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The information above is for general interest and information only and does not constitute legal advice.
