- Rockin’ Patent®: US Patent No. 6,812,392
- Filed: 25 July 2002
- In the name of: Estate Of Marlon Brando C/O Dressler & Associates
- Title: Drumhead Tensioning Device And Method
- What’s claimed: “A drum, comprising: a shell having a first mouth at a first end and a second mouth at a second end, the second end being opposite the first end along a radial axis of the shell; a drumhead covering the first mouth, the drumhead having a rim about its outer edge, the rim being positioned outside the shell; a tuning ring positioned over the drumhead, the tuning ring having an opening therein shaped to receive the first end of the shell and to prevent the rim from passing through the tuning ring; a plurality of elongated links having first and second ends, the first end of each of the links being coupled to the tuning ring, the links extending from the tuning ring into the shell through a plurality of holes in the shell; a connector member positioned inside the shell, the second end of each of the links being coupled to the connector member; a retaining member positioned within the shell on the side of the connector member toward the second end of the shell, the retaining member being coupled to the shell to remain longitudinally fixed with respect to the radial axis of the shell; a tuning linkage threadedly coupled between the retaining member and the connector member such that rotation of the tuning linkage moves the connector member longitudinally with respect to the radial axis and, as a result, adjusts the tension of the drumbead; and a motor having a drive shaft selectively operable to rotatably drive the tuning linkage with respect to the retaining member to tune the drumbead.”
- Why this patent rocks: This patent appears to be the invention of the actor Marlon Brando, which involves a device that helps musicians tune drums. It is claimed that the device can manually adjust the tuning of the drum via a motor. For more information, see here.
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The information above is for general interest and information only and does not constitute legal advice.
