James M May

US Patent:

8148619, Apr 3, 2012

Filed:

Jan 12, 2011

Appl. No.:

12/929269

Inventors:

James H. May - Valencia CA, US
Robert Alan Yerby - Sylmar CA, US
Brian Timothy LeVan - Valencia CA, US

Assignee:

Remo, Inc. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

G10D 13/02

US Classification:

84411M, 84411 R

Abstract:

In combination with a musical drum with a hollow shell having at least one opening and a drumhead with a tensioned membrane with a playing surface covering the opening, the present invention is an improved means to dampen resonating drum sounds consisting of an annular fixture mounted on a playing surface with the fixture having an outer concentric edge adjacent a flange member having an inner surface faced opposed to the playing surface, an inner concentric edge spaced apart from said playing surface and an area adjacent the inner concentric edge which defines an annular channel with the drumhead for receiving a damping member in fixed retained relation with the annular fixture. The annular fixture, including the damping member, is mounted to the playing surface by a series of incrementally spaced-apart non-adhesive means or non-adhesive means disposed in a continuous array provided for attaching the flange member to the playing surface. Included in near conformal reflation with the inner surface of the flange member is the means to reduce or eliminate vibration and vibrational-generated noise occurring along sections of the drumhead where the inner surface and playing surface coincide and touch, when the drumhead is struck.

US Patent:

8642866, Feb 4, 2014

Filed:

Oct 10, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/573864

Inventors:

Remo D. Belli - Valencia CA, US
James H. May - Valencia CA, US
Christopher J. Whittington - Valencia CA, US

Assignee:

Remo, Inc. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

G10D 13/02

US Classification:

84411R

Abstract:

A musical drum instrument with a hollow shell having one or more openings, each having the capability of forming a circumferential bearing edge, and a head member having a playing surface. Also provided is a single tapered coupling with the narrowest portion of the tapered coupling situated in near proximity to at least one of the hollow shell openings or mating tapered couplings integrated with the outside surface of the shell wall and inside surface of the wall of the head member, respectively. The head member with or without the integrated tapered coupling is mounted upon the end of the hollow shell its integrated tapered couple with the head member and the hollow shell converging in frictional engagement to establish an airtight fit sealing the juncture where the two are joined to enable the direct transfer of energy produced upon the striking of the playing surface to enhance the sound quality of the musical instrument.

US Patent:

20120175038, Jul 12, 2012

Filed:

Aug 8, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/136641

Inventors:

James H. May - Valencia CA, US
Thomas Zygmont - Valley Glen CA, US

International Classification:

B32B 37/02
B32B 38/14
B32B 37/14
B32B 38/10
B32B 37/06
B32B 37/10

US Classification:

156 61, 156247

Abstract:

A method for forming a dye sublimation image in a vibrating membrane employed in a musical instrument comprising the steps of: providing an image, digitally prepared or otherwise, consisting of a simulated animal skin or another form of graphic; printing the image on a substrate employing a heat transfer ink dye; joining the substrate with the printed image with a sheet of a gas permeable membrane comprised of bi-axially oriented non-woven polyester fibers having a plurality of surface pores and vibrating and musical note producing capability; applying a combination of heat and pressure to the joined substrate with the printed image and the membrane to cause the individual surface pores to expand to enable the dye to gasify and permeate the surface pores to transfer the image; and, cooling the membrane to enable the surface pores to seal closed and encase the image within the surface of the membrane to protect against delamination and wear when the membrane vibrates which results from the intense and constant pounding of a drumstick, a mallet, a person's hand or some other rigid-like object.

US Patent:

20140053707, Feb 27, 2014

Filed:

Aug 27, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/573146

Inventors:

Remo D. Belli - Valencia CA, US
James H. May - Valencia CA, US
Christopher J. Whittington - Valencia CA, US

International Classification:

G10D 13/02

US Classification:

84411 R

Abstract:

A musical drum instrument with a hollow shell having one or more openings, each having the capability of forming a circumferential bearing edge, and a head member having a playing surface. Also provided is a tapered coupling with the narrowest portion of the tapered coupling situated in near proximity to at least one of the shell openings gradually expanding in width as it extends along the outside surface of the hollow shell in the direction away from the opening. The head member is mounted upon the end of the hollow shell with the head member and the hollow shell converging in frictional engagement to establish an airtight fit sealing the juncture where the two are joined to enable the direct transfer of energy produced upon the striking of the playing surface to enhance the sound quality of the musical instrument.

US Patent:

20170132993, May 11, 2017

Filed:

Nov 10, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/937777

Inventors:

- VALENCIA CA, US
JAMES H. MAY - VALENCIA CA, US
CHRISTOPHER J. WHITTINGTON - VALENCIA CA, US

Assignee:

REMO, INC. - VALENCIA CA

International Classification:

G10D 13/02

Abstract:

A musical drum having a hollow shell with at least one opening defined by a circumferential bearing edge, a drumhead, which includes an upper surface consisting of the batter head and a bottom surface, a snare assembly with a plurality of individual wires having opposite end portions, a mounting member affixed to at least one end portion, and means for releasably attaching the snare assembly to the circumferential bearing edge comprising a flexible U-shaped clip in engagement with the circumferential bearing edge in pressure-contact relation. The individual snare wires are disposed in abutment against the bottom surface of the drumhead to cause the wires to vibrate upon the striking of the batter head.

US Patent:

20150243266, Aug 27, 2015

Filed:

Feb 26, 2014

Appl. No.:

13/999440

Inventors:

James H. May - Valencia CA, US

International Classification:

G10D 13/02

Abstract:

A sound dampening modification means for a musical drum comprising, in combination with a drumshell, a drumhead with a playing surface and a rim, and a drumhead fastening means with a bottom edge, an annular base, and a means joined integral with the annular base to mount the annular base upon the drumhead rim. The means to mount the annular base upon the drumhead rim is positioned so that it may be suspended above the playing surface and held there between the bottom edge of the drumhead fastening means and the drumhead rim. Also provided is a means to muffle drumhead sounds comprised of sound absorbing material positioned between the drumhead fastening means and the drumhead rim.

Address:

8101 Cantrell Rd APT 902, Little Rock, AR 72227

VIN:

1NXBR32E17Z808736

Make:

TOYOTA

Model:

COROLLA

Year:

2007