Yakima Products, Inc.

Marimba One Inc.

Yakima, Inc.

Stephen J Cole

Joseph J Settelmayer

Gregory A Dean

Ronald Samuels

Scott R Allen

Duncan G Robins

Lyle R Hilk

Joshua D Stumpf

A keyboard percussion instrument () generates sounds when keys () or other such members are struck. A movable damper bar () is brought into contact with the keys to artistically shorten their ringing duration. When pressed, a pedal () removes the damper bar from contact with the keys. When the pedal is released, a spring () urges the damper bar into contact with the keys. The damper bar is supported by a pair of arms () that pivot about pivot points () at the ends of movable posts () that extend from a pair of pivot height adjusting mechanisms (). Each pivot height adjusting mechanism has two adjusting screws. A first screw () urges a post to move up or down and a second screw () fixes the post in position when tightened. Adjusting the heights of the pivot points provides control over the damping of key vibrations.

Damper bar adjustment mechanism for keyboard percussion instrument

A vibrato assembly for a keyboard percussion instrument comprises a motor and a vibrato fan or disc assembly. A motor () is responsive to a controller (), a run/stop switch (), and a potentiometer (). Pulleys (A,B',) and a timing belt () couple rotation of the motor to an assembly of resonator or vibrato fans () via one or more magnets () or magnetically susceptible members to isolate vibrations. A sensor is activated by one of the magnets to sense the rotational position of a pulley when the fans are oriented vertically. When a run/stop switchis in a 'stop' condition, sensorsignals controllerto stop the motor, thereby leaving the fans vertical so that resonant tubes () are in an open condition when the vibrato function is stopped.

Vibraphone fan drive mechanism

An improved percussive instrument such as a marimba employs a resonator comprising an external tube (), an inner or virtual extender tube (), and a bottom stop () and a plug () within the outer tube. The region between the external tube and the virtual extender tube defines a volume of air (). The size, shape, and length of the virtual extender tube enhances performance of the resonator and thereby also the instrument. A key () of the instrument is suspended by pivots () above the plug and the opening () of the resonator. When struck by a mallet (), the key vibrates and air driven by the key enters the resonator through the opening. When the resonator and key are tuned to the same frequency, or a harmonic thereof, air will enter and leave the resonator in a resonant fashion, creating louder and richer sounds than just the key alone. Numerous variations on shape and location of the various components are possible.

Internal virtual extender tube for marimba resonator tube

An improved mallet for percussive musical instruments comprises, in one embodiment, a shaft (, etc.), an adapter or inner core (), an elastomeric surrounding core (), and an elastomeric core overlay (). Optionally a cover (), or optionally two simultaneously-wound layers of yarn or other wrapping material () are attached over the assembly. The adapter or inner core and the elastomeric surrounding core are formed together in molds (). Yarns are wrapped either by hand or with the use of a wrapping machine comprising a rotary motive source, a chuck (), and wrapping arms () for interweaving the layers of yarn. In an alternative embodiment the adapter has a through-hole to permit extension of the shaft through the adapter to near the top of the mallet head. Numerous percussive sound effects are achieved by selection of the properties of the adapter or inner core, surrounding core, overlay, and yarn layers.

Multi-component percussion mallet

A rack assembly for carrying recreational equipment on a vehicle. The assembly includes at least one mount attachable to the vehicle, and a load-carrying support member coupled to the mount and configured to support the recreational equipment adjacent the vehicle. At least one securing apparatus is associated with the load-carrying support member and configured to secure the equipment to the support member. The securing apparatus includes a strap adapted to extend at least partially around the recreational equipment, and a ratchet drive mechanism adapted to receive and grip one end of the strap. In one embodiment, the ratchet drive mechanism includes at least one drive actuator that is operable to grip successive portions of the strap and draw it tight around the recreational equipment.

Rack assembly for a vehicle

Assembly for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle

A load-bearing frame assembly for coupling to a roof of a vehicle is provided. The load-bearing frame assembly comprises a front frame section adapted to be coupled to the vehicle roof toward the front of the vehicle roof, a rear frame section adapted to be coupled to the vehicle roof toward the rear of the vehicle roof, and a frame extension section adapted to be coupled to the roof of the vehicle between the front frame section and the rear frame section. The front frame section includes a first connector and a first load bar for supporting a sports equipment mount. The rear frame section includes a second connector complementary to the first connector so that the rear frame section is joinable to the front frame section to form a first, smaller load bearing frame. The frame extension section is adapted to be coupled to the roof of the vehicle between the front and the rear frame section to form a second, larger load-bearing frame. The rack also includes a second load bar for supporting a sports equipment mount movably coupled to one of the front frame section, the rear frame section or the frame extension section such that the position of the second load bar relative to the first load bar is adjustable.

Sports equipment rack for a vehicle

A vehicle load carrier including a recreational equipment rack adapted for exterior engagement on a vehicle. The recreational equipment rack includes a torque-operated clamping mechanism, including a rotatable clamp member, where the torque-operated clamping mechanism is adapted to selectively secure and release an article to the rack upon rotation of the clamp member. Also provided is a torque-applying member that is selectively configurable in an engaged configuration in which the torque-applying member and clamp member rotate together, and in a disengaged configuration in which the torque-applying member and clamp member rotate independently of one another. The torque-applying member is semi-permanently attached to, or otherwise integrated with the clamping mechanism so that it cannot be removed without disassembling the clamping mechanism.

Vehicle load carrier and clamping mechanism

A car top bicycle carrier in which a bicycle is supported in an upright, fully assembled position. There is a generally V-shaped trough into which the bicycle tires are placed and one or more straps for retaining the tires in the trough. A U-shaped stanchion is provided with a clamping mechanism for clamping the upper part of one of the bicycle wheels so as to retain the bicycle in an upright position and against movement longitudinally of the trough. The clamping mechanism can be adapted to bicycles with relatively large wheels and to bicycles with relatively small wheels.

Growing community of inventors

Arcata, CA, United States of America

Stephen J Cole