Roland's new patent: No more cones?

[dhanisch]

So looking at Roland's patent, they have a new one as of July 8, 2008, which utilizes their basket design, but no longer uses a cone.

Anyone else seen this?? Patent # 7,396,991

The cushion member 24 is formed as a cylindrical shaped body having a diameter that is larger than that of the piezoelectric element 22 . The configuration is such that the upper surface (the top in FIG. 3( b )) of the cylindrical shaped body is in contact with the bottom surface of the head 5 (the striking member 5 a ; refer to FIG. 2). Therefore, since the cushion member 24 of this preferred embodiment maintains a wider contact region with the head 5 compared to a cushion member of the past that had a trapezoidal shape viewed from the side, in other words, a cushion member having a shape in which the end becomes narrower as the end gets closer to the head, the variations in the striking sensitivity of the head sensor 21 are made small, and it is possible to design for improved performance qualities.

Looks like they feel the cylindrical design is better?

So now are they going to chase anyone that uses sells cylindrical foam??

Perhaps that gives us DIY'ers some new ideas?

[Michael Render]

Interesting patent. It was filed in 2005 though. I wonder if they are waiting for the US Patent to go through before building any units like this.

Of course it looks just like a spider basket with a tower instead of a cone.

[Colquhoun]

YAY!
Just what we've been asking for!!!....BIGGER HOT-SPOTS!

[Guest]

So looking at Roland's patent, they have a new one as of July 8, 2008, which utilizes their basket design, but no longer uses a cone.

Anyone else seen this?? Patent # 7,396,991



Looks like they feel the cylindrical design is better?

So now are they going to chase anyone that uses sells cylindrical foam??

Perhaps that gives us DIY'ers some new ideas?

Well that's just great
I came up with a similar way to trigger also most just like that. Here, take a look:

allfront.jpg

inside.jpg

I was just getting ready to sell them on ebay as well. Just so I could get extra money for Xmas.

[dhanisch]

Well that's just great
I came up with a similar way to trigger also most just like that. Here, take a look:

[ATTACH]10450[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]10451[/ATTACH]

I was just getting ready to sell them on ebay as well. Just so I could get extra money for Xmas.

I'm starting to think this forum is just an extension of Roland's R&D department.

[Guest]

YAY!
Just what we've been asking for!!!....BIGGER HOT-SPOTS!

Actually, (at least in mine build) the hot spot isn't that big of a deal.

[Alan VEX]

Well, I can't see the images and that's waaaay too much to read. So, is this possibly just the patent for the PDX pads? The timing sounds right anyway. Not sure why I can't see the images.

[Guest]

Well, I can't see the images and that's waaaay too much to read. So, is this possibly just the patent for the PDX pads? The timing sounds right anyway. Not sure why I can't see the images.

Here's page 1 of the patent:
page1ofpat.jpg
It is definitely not the PDX. The foam is more of a "piston" shape (at least that is what I called mine.)

[Alan VEX]

Ah, okay. Thank you!

Now, I AM truly curious about the new approach. I will say one thing... it will rid the need for replacing cones!

Would you mind zipping any other images?

Edit: Another thought is that this may be the new RMP pads.

[Guest]

Would you mind zipping any other images?

Here are the images for the drum itself. The rest of the image are flow diagrams and charts.

page1.jpg

page2.jpg

page3.jpg

page4.jpg

Edit: Another thought is that this may be the new RMP pads.

Sounds interesting.

[Alan VEX]

Okay, after seeing the images, I do think it's the RMP pads. That's not to say these aren't the "next" step in pads. (or not even) However, Roland's not pushing any new technical verbiage regarding the pads in their marketing. So, I'd just think that they've found a better material to work with that probably works better all around. Again, I think this might do away with cone replacement. So, that would make me happy and be a welcome upgrade.

[Doramuboy]

Bring on the TD-30!

[Gastric]

Seems like in addition to it not being a cone it's also sitting "around" the piezo instead of only on top of it. At least that's my comprehension of the drawings. It looks like the column is much wider than the piezo and will be supported by [something] in addition to just the piezo itself.

[Guest]

Seems like in addition to it not being a cone it's also sitting "around" the piezo instead of only on top of it. At least that's my comprehension of the drawings. It looks like the column is much wider than the piezo and will be supported by [something] in addition to just the piezo itself.

It is supported by a metal plate labeled (11). When you look at this design, it doesn't appear to be much different than their current basket design. The piezo is still mounted the same way, small piece of double sided tape same size as the ceramic of the piezo and place on a small metal plate.

Edit: I'm going to go out on a limb and say this is being done for manufacturing cost reason. (just a hunch)

[suedehead]

I must say that I do not like this new design. A few years ago I owned a few Hart Accupads that used the tower of foam to transfer signals from the mesh head to the piezo. Keep in mind that the diameter of the tower was a bit larger than a quarter. These pads did trigger pretty well but they did have one draw back that drove me crazy. If you were to strike the pad in the center of the drum where the tower made contact with the head it was like hitting a rock. Hits anywhere else around the head would give great rebound and playability. This drove me crazy and I could not get used to it. Later on I moved on to a DIY cone and mesh head system similar to Roland's design. It did take a lot of tweaking to reduce the hot spot issue but I was much happier not having the large dead area in the center of the drum. I think that this new design will have the same flaw as the Hart's but even much worse as the diameter of the tower is much larger. Why not have the foam be the same size as the head so the playing surface is consistent across the entire playing surface?