Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MODULAR SINGLE-TOWER DRUM PEDAL SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to musical drums and the
beating of musical drums the operator using a mechanical apparatus. The
invention relates specifically to the design and construction of single-beater
and multiple-beater drum pedals and more specifically to a single-pillar
verticai support assembly (called the Tower or the single-Tower) and the
attachable raeechanisms and accessories that comprise the named Modular
Single Tower Drum Pedal System.
.,~
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The function of a mechanical drum beating pedal apparatus is to
effect the beating of a drum or other musical instruments or musical
accessories by impelling the drum beater or beaters of the apparatus with the
operator's foot or feet or other convenient or appropriate conveyance. A
conventional drum pedal is normally comprised of a vertical support structure
attached to a base structure; said base structure is attached to a musical
drum instrument. Said vertical support structure normally carries a primary
horizontai driveshaft carried by one or two bearings which are normally
attached to said vertical support structure, which is in turn attached to a
foot
pedal, the heel of which is pivotally attached to the base structure and the
front of the pedal is articulately attached to the driveshaft so that the
horizontal
driveshaft Is rotated when the pedal is depressed by the operator's foot. A
spring balanced return mechanism reposittons the horizontai driveshaft when
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foot pressure is released by the operator, returning the rotated driveshaft to
its
original position. The drum beater is attached to said horizontai driveshaft
so
that, as the horizontal driveshaft is rotated by the depressed pedal, it
strikes
the head of the drum, and as the operator's foot pressure is released, the
beater returns to its original position. The vertical support structure of a
conventional drum pedal is normally comprised of two vertical support pillars,
which are moulded or othennrise attached to the base structure of said pedal,
but sometimes the drum pedal is comprised of one vertical pillar moulded or
attached to the said base structure. Usually, neither the conventionai two-
pillar
verticai support structure nor the conventional single-pillar support
structure
can be converted into a multipie-beater drum pedal apparatus without the
addition of costiy parts that require additional design, tooling and special
manufacture. The conventional two-pillar vertical support pedal structure, in
order to be converted to accept a second beater for a conventionai two-beater
pedal, requires the costly addition of a third support pillar so that two
separated drive shafts can be operated independentiy. Also, this third support
pillar must be designed so that it can accommodate secondary foot pedal
activafion from either the right or the left, depending on the requirements of
the operator which would include the requirement for the operator to drive the
pedal secondary pedal with the left foot if the primary pedal is played with
the
right foot and conversely, the requirement to drive the secondary pedal with
the right foot if the primary pedal is operated by the left foot. Single
vertical
pillar pedals normaiiy support and carry the horizontal driveshaft with one
bearing only, creating undue stress on said bearing. The field is devoid of
vertical single-pillar single-beater drum beating pedal mechanisms that easily
convert to double-beater pedals. The normal incidence of single vertical tower
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bass pedals is found used as part of a double beater apparatus and is
normally used as the secondary drive pedal with no beater capability
attached.
The primary purpose of this invention, named the Modular Single-
Tower Drum Pedal System, is to provide a modular solution to creating a
multiplicity of pedal beater configuration choices with the fewest numbers of
relatively costly cast or machined parts. It is the modularity of the single-
Tower
design, which has a symmetrical shape to work either from the left or the
right
side of the pedal base structure, and that it is attachable and detachable on
either the rigfat side or the left side or both sides of the base structure,
that is
the essence of this invention. Also, two single-Tower pillars, sharing a
single
bearing support arm, can be mounted together on one pedal platform plate to
create either a double-beater pedal or a reinforced double-Tower single-
beater pedal with the addition of the requisite longer single driveshaft
supported by bearings at either end of said longer driveshaft. The single-
beater drum =pedai can be modified easily to act as the drive for a double
beater pedal for either the left foot or the right foot simply by choosing
whether
the single-Tower support structure is attached to the left side or the right
side
of the base structure. The single-Tower attaches and detaches easily to and
from the base structure with ordinary bolt and nut fasteners that are simple
and obvious for the operator to change with a normal wrench or other basic
tool of appropriate design. Furthermore, the single-Tower combined with the
Bearing Support arm securely support the horizontal driveshaft with two
bearings supporting said driveshaft toward the ends of the said driveshaft.
Said bearings are captured within the assembly of the single-Tower support
structure as a consequence of the assembly of the tower and bearing support
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arm. The key elements are a Tower, which mated to a Bearing Support create
the single-Tower. Two Towers can be mated to a single Bearing Support to
create the double beater pedal, where two beaters are supported on a pedal
base structure. Key to the success of the design is the ability to mate the
Bearing Support Arm to one Tower to create the single beater pedal and to
mate the single Bearing Support Arm to two Towers to create the double
beater pedal. Furthermore, this invention, the Single-Tower Modular Drum
Pedal System, is complemented by several new and unique designs and
inventions for beater holder and adjustment, drive mechanism adjustment,
spring functionality and foot pedal adjustment.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
Three examples of conventional drum pedals are shown in Fig. AA,
Fig. BB and Fig. CC.
Fig AA shows a conventional twin pillar drum pedal assembly. Fig.
BB shows a conventional double pillar double beater pedal and Fig. (CC)
shows a conventional single pillar drum pedal used as a secondary pedal to
drive the secondary beater of a conventional double pillar double beater
pedal.
Fig. AA illustrates the conventional two-pillar single beater drum
pedal which usually includes a base structure 91 with two vertical pillars 92
attached to and extending vertically from a top surface of the base structure
91 and a horizontal driveshaft 93 Is connected between the two vertical
pillars
92 and generally supported by bearings at each end of said driveshaft 93 and
generally at the top end each vertical pillars 92. The drum beater 94 is
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securely connected to the driveshaft 93. One end of a foot pedal 95 is
pivotally connected to the base structure 91. An articulated driving assembly
931 using chainlink or strap connects between the beater 94 and the other
end of the foot pedal 95. To activate the beater 94 the operator depresses the
foot pedal 95 which results in rotating the driveshaft 93 which in turn drives
the beater head of beater 94 to strike the head of the drum. The drum is
connected to the base structure 91 by means of a clamped attachment 98.
The drumhead (membrane of drum) is aligned perpendicularly from the base
structure 91 of the pedal. A spring-actuated returning device 96 is connected
to one of the.two verticai pillars 92 and includes an extension spring 97
which
has one end connected to the a boss in the vertical pillars 92 and the other
end of the spring 97 is connected with the spring return mechanism 99 which
is attached to the driveshaft 93 so that the driveshaft 93 is rotated back to
its
initial position when the user releases pressure to the foot pedal 95.
Fig. BB is based on the pedal in Fig. AA. This double beater pedal
shows a pedal 95P is part of the primary pedal and positioned to be operated
by the right foot and pedal 95S is part of the secondary pedal and is
positioned to be operated by the left foot. The pedal 95S when depressed
activates the drive mechanism 9315 rotating shaft 93S which is directly
connected to driveshaft 93L by direct connection 932. A return spring
assembly 96L is directly connected and returns the beater 94L to the original
position when foot pressure is relieved on pedal 95S. Drum beater assemblies
94L and 94 R, Left and Right operate independently. Pedal 95S activates
beater 94L and pedal 95P activates beater 94R. In order to facilitate this
independent rotation of the two beaters these beaters need to rotate on
separate driveshaft which in turn need to be supported independently. In order
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to do this a third verfical pillar 923 is attached to pillar 922R. Should the
operator choose to place the secondary pedal on the left in order to operate
the primary pedal with the right foot and the secondary pillar with the right
foot, then a different costly change needs to be made to create the 923 to be
attached to 921 R Also, there is a weakness in the top of 923 where the
separate drive shafts 93R and 931 R meet inside 923.
Fig. CC shows essentially the same pedal features and functions as
BB but the secondary pedal has a driveshaft 93SS supported by only one
pillar 92S and one bearing 92B. Lack of support at both ends of the driveshaft
93SS offers no resistance to the twisting torque created by the playing of the
mechanism. This single pillar design cannot be used to drive a double beater
pedal as a secondary pedal played by the right foot. A different and costly
single pillar attached to the left side of the base would be required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a drum pedal assembly which
includes a horizontal base structure upon which at least one vertical
pillar ( the Tower) extends and a support has a connection section which is
connected to a connection section extending laterally from at least the one
veracal pillar to create a single-pillar support assembly (the single-Tower).
A
drive transmission unit has a horizontal driveshaft which is rotatably
connected between at least the assembly of one vertical pillar and the support
(the single-Tower assembly), and a pedal which is pivotally connected to
rotate the driveshaft. A beater assembly is connected to the driveshaft and
driven by the transmission unit. The vertical symmetrical Tower can be
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connected to either side of the base structure to meet the requirements of
different operators and users. A drum beater adjusting unit, a pedal adjusting
unit and a spring adjusting unit can be cooperated with the beater assembly to
provide more adjustment functions.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a drum
pedal assembly that includes an adjustable single vertical tower attached to
the base so that different users can use the beater assembly with more
convenience and can easily configure the apparatus to be used in a variety of
conventionai and non-conventional single-beater and multiple-beater
applications.-
Another object of the present invention involves enhanced
adjustability so as to provide a drum pedal assembly wherein the angle
between the pedal and the base, the length of the base, the position of the
beater along the driveshaft, the striking area of the beater on the drum head,
the relative positions of double beaters on one drum head, the distance
between the beater and the drum and the speed that the beater returns to its
initial position can be all be adjusted.
The present invention will become more obvious from the following
descriptions when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which
show, for purposes of illustration only, some of the preferred embodiments in
accordance with the present inventions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. AA shows a conventional single beater drum pedal with double
pillars;
Fig. B8 shows a conventional double beater drum pedal with
double pillar secondary pedal and double pillar primary pedal;
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Fig. CC shows a conventional and common double beater pedal
with single pillar secondary drive pedal and double pillar primary pedal;
Fig. I is a perspective view of the drum pedal with single-Tower
single-beater assembly of the present invention. The single-Tower is attached
to the right side of the base structure. This perspective is viewed from the
operator's right side;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the drum pedal, as shown in Fig. 1.0,
viewed from the operator's left side;
Fig. 2A is a perspective view of the drum pedal with the single-
Tower single.-beater assembly attached to the left side of the base structure,
viewed from the operator's right;
Fig. 2B is a perspective view of the drum pedal with two one single-
Tower assemblies mounted on the right side and a second Tower mounted on
the left side. This shows a double-Tower pedal with one beater. It is viewed
from operator's right;
Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the single-tower single
beater assembly, viewed from the operator's right side. This illustration
serves
to separate the various drum pedal elements including base assembly 10,
single-Tower assembly 20, foot pedal assembly 30, drum beater assembly 40,
drive transmission assembly 50, drum clamp assembly 60, and spring return
assembly 70;
Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the pedal base plate
assembly showing front and read base plates and the base plate assembly
unit;
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Fig. 5 shows two side elevation views, Fig. 5A and 5B, showing two
adjustments of the pedal base plate, Fig 5A in the shortened position and Fig.
5B in the [engthened position;
Fig. 6 is a perspective exploded view showing the single-Tower
assembly including the Tower and Bearing Support Arm and the driveshaft
assembly;
Fig. 7 is a perspective exploded view showing two Towers, one
Bearing Support Arm, two driveshaft assemblies and the stabilizing rod
assembly;
Fig: 7A is a perspect'n-e exploded view showing two Towers and one
Bearing Support Arm, viewed from left-also shows stabilizing rod and
assembly mating areas;
Fig. 8 is a perspective exploded view showing the foot pedal
assembly including the heel plate and the Chain-Slider assembly;
Fig. 9 shows two perspective section views, Fig. 9A and 9B, of foot
pedal Chain-Slider and Chain-Anchors showing shortened chain position and
lengthened chain positions;
Fig. 10 shows two partial perspective views, Fig.IOA and 10B,
showing the Chain-Slider without chain attached to illustrate shortened and
lengthened pedal foot board positions;
Fig. 11 shows two partial perspective views of the reversible toe
stop, Fig. 11A and 11B, attached in two possible positions forward and
reverse;
Fig. 12 shows an exploded perspective view of the beater
assembly;
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Fig. 13 shows two beater assembly side views, Fig. 13A and 13B of
beater adjustability fore and aft positions and beater height adjustment
capability;
Fig. 14 shows 3 front elevatlon views of beater assembly showing
rotatable and extendible adjustability side to side and up and down variable
beater length and beater position;
Fig. 15 shows 5 illustrations, Fig. 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 15E, all front
elevations detailing views of the full double pedal assembly including Fig.
15A
showing the one double-Tower primary pedal and one single-Tower drive
pedal which.Eomprise a double beater pedal with secondary pedal driven by
operator's left foot, plus 4 views of various double beater relative position
placements on primary two-Tower pedal;
Fig. 16 shows single-Tower pedal with the triple-head beater
mounted on hex shaft with 3 choices of playing positions;
Fig. 17 shows an exploded perspective view of the eccentric cam
drive transmission assembly with drive chain;
Fig. 18 shows several views, Fig. 18A, 18B, 18C and 18D, of the
eccentric cam adjust lever in various positions;
Fig. 19 shows two side elevation views of the eccentric adjust cam
assembly in two positions viewed from the opposite side of cam adjust lever,
Fig. 19A and 19B;
Fig. 20 shows an exploded perspective view of the drum clamping
assembly;
Fig. 21 shows 6 illustrations, Fig. 21A, 2113, 21C, 21D, 21E and
21 F, various views drum damping assembly funcfiionality;
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Fig. 22 shows exploded perspective view of the spring return rocker
assembly;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings, wherein like features are denoted by
corresponding reference numbers, the preferred embodiments of the
inventions are thereby illustrated and described.
Referring to Fig. 3 the exploded perspective shows a drum pedal
assembly illustrating the major components of the present invention which
comprises a base-structure assembly 10; a single-Tower assembly 20
including drive-shaft, Bearing Support Arm and bearings, which attach to the
base-structure assembly 10 in the right side position; an adjustable pedal
board unit 30 including footboard, heel plate and toe-stop, an adjustable drum
beater assembly 40; an adjustable drive transmission assembly 50 including
cam and chain or strap; a drum clamping assembly 60; and a spring-actuated
retuming assembly 70.
Referring to Fig. 4 the base structure assembly 10 is composed of a
front plate 11 and a rear plate 12 wherein the front plate 11 and the rear
plate
12 have an overlapping section. A guide slot 14 is defined in one end of the
rear plate 12 and a positioning bolt 144 extends through the front plate 11
and
is movably engaged with the guide slot 14, A positioning pressure plate 143 is
connected to the positioning bolt 144 so as to press the overlap portion of
the
front and rear plates 11 and 12 to position the front and rear plates 11 and
12.
A handle nut 141 is connected to the screw section at the top of positioning
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bolt 144 and on top of the positioning pressure plate 143. The extended lip
shape of positioning pressure plate 143 allows base rear plate 12 to be guide
under pressure plate 143 for ease of engagement Two parallel grooves 121
embossed in rear plate 12 and matching two parallel grooves 111 embossed
in front plate 11 serve to guide rear plate 12 over front plate 11 so that
alignment is ensured. The overall length of the pedal base-structure assembly
can thereby be adjusted and plate base-structure assembly 10 can be
disassembled for pedal folding if so needed. . Normally a pressure plate 143
is not seen to be used in similar applications in other pedals and only flat
10 washer 142 is used. In that case a spring is necessary to separate washer
142 from plate parallel grooves 111. Separation of the washer 142 is
necessary to allow rear plate 12 to slide over front plate 11 guided by bolt
144
and slot 14. Without a spring or plate 143 the operator would be required to
lift
the washer 142 by other means thereby making assembly and disassembly
awkward. In this case, plate 143 automatically lifts washer 142 as rear plate
12 is guided past bolt 144 through siot 14.
Also shown in Fig. 4 in rear plate 12 there are the 2 sets of 4-hole
groupings 11-4R and 11-4L which serve to accept the 4 bolts for the single-
Tower to attach to the front plate 11. A single-Tower mounted on the right
side
of the front plate 11 would use the 4-hole grouping 11-4R on the Right side of
the front plate 11 and a single-Tower mounted on the left side of front plate
11
would use 4-hole grouping 11-4L on the Left side of front plate 11. Mounting 2
Towers upon one front plate 11 would require using both 4-hole groupings 11-
4R and 11-4L. There are 6 holes in front plate 11 all numbered 112. They
serve to attach individualiy or severally accessory connector plates not
shown,
which, for one example would allow the connecting together of two or more
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base plate structures or ancillary base plates. The overall length of base-
structure assembly 10 can be lengthened or shortened by loosening nut 141,
pulling apart or pushing together plates 11 and 12, which would slide upon the
embossed grooves 121 on rear plate 12 and embossed grooves 111 on front
plate 11. Once the desired length is achieved the position is secured by
tightening nut 141. Additionally, rear plate 12 can be disengaged completely
from front plate 11 in order to facilitate the folding and compacting of the
pedal
assembly for travel and or storage. Reassembly is simplified in guiding rear
plate 12 using slot 14 to engage and mate with bolt 144 slipping the front end
of rear plate 12 between pressure plate 143 and front plate 11, thereby
lifting
the loosened pressure plate 143. This way the adjustment of length of base-
structure assembly 10 is facilitated.
~=
Fig. 5 shows two side-elevation views of the complete single-Beater
single-Tower pedal. TM top figure shows Fig. 5A shows the base-structure
assembly 10 in the shortened position and the resulting footboard unit 30 is
positioned fanNard. The lower Fig. 5B shows the base-structure 10 in its
lengthened position shouving the resulting footboard unit 30 is positioned
rearward, and the drive chain 33 as a result has moved from a perpendicular
resting position to an angular resting position. Adjusting the length of the
footplate adjusts the position of the pedal footboard and results in adjusting
the angle of the drive chain 33. Also seen clearly in Fig. 5 is a side view of
the
drum clamping assembly 60. Also shown in the side elevations are nut 141
and pressure plate 143. Rear plate 12 is pressed between pressure plate 143
and front plate 11 by engaging and turning nut 141.
The Tower 20, see Fig. 6 connects to the top of the base-structure
assembly 10 at one set of the positioning holes, see Fig. 4, either the set of
4
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holes 11-4L for Left mount or the set of 4 holes 11-4R for Right mount defined
through the front plate 11 located on either the right or the left side of
front
plate 11 using, see Fig. 6, the set of 4 bolts 22-4 and the set of 4 nuts 22HN-
4.
The single-Tower assembly 20 is also shown in figure 3 attaching to base-
structure assembly 10 on the right side of front plate 11. The tower 21 is
attached to bearing support 22 using stabilizer rod 24 screwed into nut 24N
which is set into hex hole 24NH which is cast into the upper side of tower 21.
Tower 21 has an assembly section 211 which consists of a vertical laterally
protruding ridge 211A and a horizontal vertically protruding ridge 211B.
Bearing support 22 has a mounting section 222 with a vertical inset groove
222A and horizontal inset groove on the underside 222B. The attaching of
Tower 21 to support 22 involves mating ridge 211A with groove 222A and
ridge 211B with groove 222B. This mating of ridges and grooves assures a
solid connection that wiil ensure the resisting of twisting and tuming of
tower
21 and support 22. The tower has a round flat bottom cavity that accepts
bearing 231 and likewise support 22 has a matching cavity to accept a
matching bearing 231. These two bearings support drive shaft 23L which is
captured between Tower 21 and bearing support 22. This is a unique design
solution to installing a drive shaft and bearings. Normally bearings need to
be
secured by press fltting or secondary screw pressure, adding costs and also
adding to the possibility of compromised performance of the bearings. This
method of bearing and driveshaft assembly is a direct result and is intended
as one of the preferred embodiments of the System. It is noted that the
symmetrical Tower 20 can be connected to right side or left side of the front
plate 11.
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The drnieshaft transmission assembly 23 has a drive shaft 23L if
long and 23S ( shown in Fig.7 ) if short which may have a hexagonal or
circular or partly circular and partly flat cross section, and is attached to
a foot
pedal plate 31 ( shown in Fig.8 ). The driveshaft transmission assembly 23 is
rotatably connected between the Tower 21 and the support 22 with two
bearings 231 mounted on two ends of the driveshaft 23. The two bearings 231
are respectively connected to the at least one Tower 20 and the support 22.
The pedal board unit 30 in Fig.8 to 11 shows pedal board unit 30
including foot pedal plate 31,heel plate 32, drive chain 33, toe stop 35,chain
set 36 and chain cap 37, the foot pedal plate 31 is pivotally connected to the
base structure assembly 10 at heel plate 32 and is able to drive the foot
pedal
plate 31 to rotate. toe stop 35 screw on the front of foot pedal plate by two
screws 351, to prove the toe can't over the foot pedal plate 31. chain set had
fit in the front under of foot pedal plate 31 by bolts 361,362 and nut 363, to
connected the chain 55 by chain cap 37 by blot 371 and nut 372, the chain set
36 can adjusting the position of chain 55.
The beater assembly 40 in Fig.12 is driven by the drive
transmission assembly 50 and is co-rotated with the pedal board unit 30. The
beater assembly 40 shows in Fig. 12 has a beater holder 41 which is
connected to a clamp member 45 and movably connected to the driveshaft
23L or 23S. The clamp member (beater clamp) 45 has a passage 441 through
which the driveshaft 23L or 23S securely extends so that the clamp member
45 is co-rotated with the driveshaft 23L or 23S. The clamp member 45 further
has a clamp portion 451 which includes a slot 452 (the slot 452 is the open
end or the clamping device ) so as to define two parts, and the beater holder
41 is located in the clamp portion 451, a bolt 46 extends through the clamp
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portion 451 to squeeze the two sides of slot 452 to clamp the beater holder 41
in the clamp portion 451. Two urging screws 442 are threadedly connected to
the clamp member 45 and contact against the driveshaft 23L or 23S so that
the clamp member 45 is securely connected to the dr9veshaft 23L or 23S. A
polygonal engaging hole 411 is defined through the beater holder 41 and a
beater 42 has a beater shaft rod 43 which is engaged with the polygonal
engaging hole 411. The beater shaft rod 43 has a hexagonal cross section
and the polygonal engaging hole 411 is a polygonal six-sided hole. A
positioning bolt 412 extends from an underside of the beater clamp 45 to
contact against and position the connection rod 41. The beater 42 has a
plurality of beat faces 421 which are located on an outer periphery of the
beater 42. The number of the beat faces can be one or two or three or any
~,.
number and the cross section of the beater shaft rod 43 and the shape of the
engaging hole 411 can also be rectangular or round or oval. The beater 42
shown in cooperation with the hexagonally shaped beater shaft rod 43 and 6-
sided hole 411 conspire to provide 3 secure beater beating positions. The
beater faces 421, 422 and 423 can be made of different materials such as
wood, plastic, metal, felt or cork. These different materiais provide a
different
sound when the beater strikes the drum. Beater faces shown, 421 and 422
are attached to beater 42. Beater face 423 is moulded as part of beater 42.
The hexagon shape beater shaft rod 43 is aligned with three beater faces 421,
422, and 423 on beater 42 provide three beater face choices for the operator.
Additionally, the hexagon shape of the beater shaft rod 43 engaged in the six-
sided polygonal shaped hole 411 in beater holder 41 assists in preventing
twisting of beater face during operation. The twisting of the beater face
during
operation is a problem encountered by multffaceted drum beaters with round
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shaped shafts. InefFective locking devices have been tried but are not secure
enough. The hexagonally shaped beater shaft rod 43 fitting into six side hole
411 is another preferred embodiment of this invention. Another function of the
beater clamp 45 is to allow rotational adjustment for beater 42 and fore and
aft
adjustment for beater 42 because beater holder 41 is positionable lengthwise
in the clamping portion 451. These features, both the rotationai and fore-and-
aft adjustability of the beater 42 are provided by the invention and design of
beater clamp 45 are preferred embodiments of the invention. Lateral
adjustment of the beater clamp 45 on driveshafi: 23L or 23S is also a feature
of the designr-Fig. 13 shows two drawings Fig. 13A and 13B, which serve to
further illustrate the fore and aft adjustability of beater holder 41 in
beater
clamp 45. Fig 13A shows beater is posifioned "aft" in clamp 45 and Fig. 13B
shows beater is positioned "fore in beater clamp 45. The "fore" and "aft"
positions dramatically change the feel of the pedal because the leverage of
the beater relative to the rotating centre of the drive shaft is changed. The
operator if offered an easy way to adjust this aspect of the pedal feel. Fig.
14
shows three examples of beater 42 positions provided by the clamp 45
adjustability. The view of eievation in Fig. 14 is on the same plane as the
drum head membrane. This means the operator can choose with precision the
area of the drum head being struck by the beater 42. This is another important
embodiment of the invention which is not faund in existing prior art. More
possibilities adjusting double beaters are shown in Fig. 15. There are five
drawings in Fig. 15. These drawings show the advantage of independently
adjustable beaters whereby the beater head can be adjusted individually to
that the beaters can be set to strike the drum head equidistantly by the
double
beaters. Also, the beaters can be set to strike differing lengths of distance
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from the centre of the drum. This is a choice of adjustment that is not found
in
other pedal systems and is one of the preferred embodiments of this pedal
system. Fig. 15A shows a double pedal, in front elevation view, with two
beaters set to strike the drum head equidistantly from the centre of the drum
head. In this case the beaters could be set to strike any areas of choice.
Fig.
15B, 15C, 15D and 15E show beater striking pattems that suggest only a few
of the possible choices offered the operator. For example, the operator may
choose to have the one beater head strike very close to the centre of the head
and the second beater to strike further away, creating two entirely different
sounds. As well, two beaters striking equidistantly should create very similar
sounding beats.
The drive transmission assembly 50 is connected between the
driveshaft 23L or 23S and a chain 55 which is moved by the drive
transmission assembly 50 so as to affect the height of the foot pedal plate
31,
and the position the beater assembly 40. Fig. 17 shows the drive transmission
assembly 50, which includes an eccentric cam hub 51 which is connected to
the drive shaft 23L or 23S. two elongate holes, slots 513 and 514 are defined
through the front face of the cam hub 51. The back of the cam has one longer
elongate slotted hole 512. The eccentric cam 53 serves to support and attach
either a chain 55 or a drive strap. The cam 53 is movably connected to the
one of the elongate holes 512 of the cam hub 51 and the chain 55 has one
end fixed to the cam 53 fixed by chain cap 37 and the other end of the chain
55 is connected to the foot pedal plate 31. An adjusting teardrop shaped knob
(cam lever) 54 with a protruding stud 541 with an eccentricaily placed off-
centre hole 542 ( show in Fig.18 ) is connected through the cam lever hole
539 fashioned in cam 53, A bolt 543 extends through the cam lever hole 539
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and another elongate hole 512 in the cam hub 51, and the cam lever 54 has
an outer periphery on stud 541 which is rotated eccentrically as a result of
the
hole 512 being placed off centre. See Fig.17. Bolt 543 passes through washer
532 and cam lever 54 through hole 542 and is fixed at the screw end with nut
544 which fits into one end of hole 512 fixed into the back of eccentric cam
hub 51. A second boit 531 is fitted parallel to bolt 543 but passes through
washer 532 and bypasses cam 53 and passes through slot 513 on front of
cam hub 51 and is fixed at the screw end with nut 533 which is fitted into the
opposite end of slot 512, opposite from bolt 543 nut 544. When pressure on
both bolts 543-and 531 is relieved the lever 54 can be rotated thereby iifting
or
dropping eccentrically the position of the cam over the hub. This adjustment
is
rotationai on a curve and infinite in positions. Once desired position is
achieved this position is locked in place by applying pressure on the assembly
by simply turning bolts 543 and 531. The efPect of changing the relative
position of the cam can change not only the position of the pedal footboard
and the pedal beater but can also change the feel of the beater motion of the
pedal. As the arc is affected by the eccentric motion of the cam the effect is
to
either accelerate or decelerate the speed at which the beater is impelled
toward the drum head. This eccentric cam lever 54 adjusting cam 53 mounted
on eccentric cam hub 51 is a new and unique way to adjust the stroke of a
bass drum pedal and is one of the preferred embodiments of this invention.
Fig. 17 is a drawing showing an exploded view of the drive transmission
assembly 50, featuring eccentric cam adjustability. Fig. 18 shows 4 drawings
18A, 188, 18C and 18D. Fig. 18A shows the cam lever 54 adjusted in its down
position. Fig. 18B shows cam lever 54 adjusted In its up most position. Fig.
18C is a perspectve view of cam lever 54 showing the function area 549 that
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CA 02582240 2007-03-05
engages the cam lever stud 541. Another view shown in Fig. 18D shows a
side elevation detailing the function area 549 that engages the cam lever stud
541 and the hole 542 place off-centre the cam lever stud 541. This shows
graphically the function of the cam lever 54 lifting and dropping the cam 53.
Additional drawings in Fig. 19A and Fig. 19B show the back side of the
eccentric hub and the relative positions of the nut 533 attached to cam anchor
bolt 531 and nut 544 attached to cam lever bolt 543. The smoothness of the
curved shapes serves to make adjustment steps smooth and infinite.
The spring-actuated return assembly (spring return) 70 shows in
Fig. 3 and Fig. 6 and Fig. 16. and the spring-actuated return assembly 70
show in Fig. 22 has one end connected to the Tower 20 at the bracketed
protrusion 219 show in Fig. 6 and the other end of the spring return 70 is
connected to the drive transmission assembly 50 so as. to return the drive
transmission assembly 50 and the beater assembly 40 to their initial
positions.
The spring return 70 includes a first frame (spring rocker body) 71 connected
to the driveshaft 23l. or 23S and a second frame (spring beadng hanger) 72
which is rotatably connected to the spring rocker body 71 by a bearing 722. A
spring anchor assembly 73 is connected to the Tower 20 at slotted protrusion
219 and an extension spring 74 has one end connected to the spring anchor
assembly 73 and the other end of the spring 74 is connected to the spring
bearing hanger 72. It is the spring bearing hanger 72 which is the focus of
the
preferred embodiment in the spring return assembly 70. The bearing 722 is
inserted into spring bearing hanger 72 which is cast in such a fashion as to
allow the bearing to centre itself in the bottom of the casting without the
internal turning area of the bearing to be impeding. The result is a
completely
unimpeded bearing which allows the bearing to perform without the friction
CA 02582240 2007-03-05
that normal pedal designs Inflict. This bearing holder, the spring bearing
hanger 72 is monolithic in that is cast easily in one piece. Prior art shows
capturing a bearing using two or more machined or cast pieces. The spring
return 70 is rotationally adjusted and position on the end of the driveshaft
23L
or 23S using screw 711 and nut 712 which is captured in a slot cast into the
side of spring rocker body 71. The spring bearing hanger 72 is attached to
spring rocker body 71 with a threaded shaft 721 which passes through the
captured bearing 722. The bearing 722 is dropped into the bearing hanger 72
through an obliquely positioned open slot 723. The spring return 70 can easily
be disengaged from the tower body 21 because the anchor protrusion is
slotted protnasion 219 and allows the spring anchor screw to be removed and
attached without removing nut 735. The shape of this anchor hole is 6 sided
and accepts the hex shaped nut 735 to be locked in place thereby preventing
tuming from vibration which in tum would cause the spring set6ngs to loosen.
Fig. 2A shows the single-Tower assembly 20 mounted on the left
side. This is the preferred configuration for driving a beater pedal from the
left.
The operator has the opportunity to choose the position of the single-Tower to
be placed either on the left or the right according to the operator's choice
or
need.
Fig. 2B shows that the drum pedal assembly of the present
invention can also include one base-structure assembly 10 with two vertical
towers, extending connected together by one bearing support. Choice can be
made to use a longer drive shaft passing through a bearingless support or the
drive shaft can be attached only to long drive shaft on the side that is chose
to
attach the drive transmission assembly 50.
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CA 02582240 2007-03-05
Fig. 20 shows the drum clamping assembly 60. Clamp 61 is
attached to tower 20 shows in Fig. 7 by passing mounting rod 612 through
clamp mounting hole 611. This creates a jawlike clamping device which
attaches to a conventional bass drum counterhoop or other musical accessory
attachment suitably disposed. Fig. 21 shows 6 drawings, 21A, 21 B, 21 C, 21 D,
21E and 21F. Fig. 21A and 21B show the clamp lever in a raised position
which to effects the closing of the clamp. Fig 21C and 21D show the clamp
lever lowered to effect and undamping which release pressure on the bass
drum hoop or other device. Fig. 21 E shows the plan view of the clamp to
show anguladty to enhance ease of access for the operator to reach the
clamp lever screw 63. Fig. 21 F shows a cross-section drawing of the clamp
assembly which illustrates the effect of the clamp lever screw as it is turned
by
the operator. As the screw 63 is tumed clockwise, the lever 62 lifts, putting
pressure against the base plate and thereby tr=ansmitting clamping pressure to
the drum hoop or requisite attachment. The function of the clamp lever 62 is
constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention.
While we have shown and described the preferred embodiments in
accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in
the
art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope
of the present invention.
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