Patent Application
20160284328
The embodiments disclosed herein relate to musical instruments, and, in particular to devices for controlling percussion instruments.
The following paragraphs are not an admission that anything discussed in them is prior art or part of the knowledge of persons skilled in the art.
The disclosure relates to a hi-hat stand and the cymbals on it, used commonly in a drum set. The hi-hat stand holds two cymbals which can be closed and opened with the user's foot generating a sound with the cymbals. The foot can also change the sound of the cymbals when the user is hitting them by changing the spacing between the cymbals.
Having to use the foot to control the hi-hat may limit the user's ability to use that foot for other items, such as double bass pedals, or resting that foot. Also, when using the foot for something other than the hi-hat, conventionally the user cannot adjust the hi-hat until placing their foot onto the hi-hat pedal. Conventionally, the user will stop what they are doing with that foot and return to the hi-hat which may be undesirable.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,692,098 to Reinhard describes a leg lever adjustment device for a hi-hat musical instrument. The leg lever moves the lower cymbal up and down based on a user's lateral leg movement. When the leg lever is in its rest position, the lower cymbal is pushed upwardly by a spring toward or against the upper cymbal. When a user presses the leg lever with a leg, this moves the lower cymbal down and away from said upper cymbal. Where the user releases the leg lever, the cymbal returns to the resting position. There is a latch receiver to deactivate the adjustment device and render the device inoperable. To reactivate the device, the user hits the top of the latch with a drumstick to release the latch.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0103775 to Vergara describes a pedal free cymbal device that has a lever mechanism to pivotably bring a lower cymbal upwards to a top cymbal. The lower cymbal is held down by a spring when the lever mechanism is not being held by the user. If the user desires to keep the cymbals closed, the lever is held closed by the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,939 to Barker describes a hand held cymbal device for use with one hand. The device includes a trigger mechanism for displacing a moveable cymbal relative to a fixed cymbal. The cymbals may be urged apart from one another by a spring. When the trigger mechanism is released, the cymbals return to the open position.
While there are a number of cymbal devices, they may not provide the use and ability that may be desired by a user. For example, when released the conventional devices may retract to a resting position.
According to some embodiments, there is a hi-hat controller for controlling a space between a lower hi-hat cymbal and an upper hi-hat cymbal. The controller includes a first body portion for coupling to the lower hi-hat cymbal, a second body portion for coupling to a cymbal stand, an actuator for moving the first body portion relative to the second body portion through a range of motion to adjust the space between the lower hi-hat cymbal and the upper hi-hat cymbal, and a lock that automatically fixes the position of the first body portion with respect to the second body portion at any position along the range of motion when a user releases the actuator.
According to some embodiments, the actuator includes a handle attached to the first body portion and rotatable with respect to the second body portion, wherein the handle engages in a slot in the first body portion to move the first body portion.
According to some embodiments, the lock includes a friction fit lock to hold the first body portion at the fixed position.
According to some embodiments, the actuator includes an adjustment arm mounted to and rotatably attached to the second body portion, a first gear attached to the adjustment arm, and a second gear mounted to and rotatably attached to the second body portion. The first gear rotatably engages the second gear and the second gear rotatably engages with a rack on the first body portion to move the first body portion.
According to some embodiments, the lock includes a threaded fastener in the second body portion, a spring mounted to the threaded fastener, and a friction body mounted to the spring. The friction body provides friction to any one or more of the first gear, the second gear, and the first body portion to fix the position of the first body portion.
According to some embodiments, the actuator includes an adjustment arm rotatably attached to the second body portion and engaging with a cavity in the first body portion. Movement of the adjustment arm moves the first body portion.
According to some embodiments, the lock includes a lock bolt for compressing the second body portion around the first body portion to adjust the friction between the first body portion and the second body portion to hold the position of the first body portion.
According to some embodiments, the adjustment arm includes a grooved stop to engage on the cavity to hold the lower hi-hat cymbal at an upmost position.
According to some embodiments, the actuator includes an adjustment arm rotatably attached to the second body portion and having a geared surface. The geared surface mates with a rack gear on the first body portion.
According to some embodiments, the lock includes a lever rotatably attached to the adjustment arm. The lever includes a ratchet point biased against ratchet notches in the second body portion. The ratchet notches and the ratchet point inhibit movement of the first body portion.
According to some embodiments, the actuator includes an adjustment arm rotatably attached to the second body portion, the adjustment arm having a pivot pin, and a wedge slidably received in the second body portion, the wedge having an angled surface and a pivot slot for receiving the pivot pin. The pivot pin moves in the pivot slot to move the wedge laterally in the second body portion. The angled surface of the wedge slides on an angled surface of the first body portion to move the first body portion.
According to some embodiments, the angled surface of the wedge frictionally engages with the angled surface of the first body portion to set the position of the first body portion.
According to some embodiments, the actuator includes a cable actuator for moving the first body portion with respect to the second body portion, and a remote control for triggering the cable remotely from the hi-hat.
According to some embodiments, the actuator further includes a housing arm rotatably attached to the second body portion for moving the first body portion, a cable attached at a first end to the housing arm and passing through an extension arm, a spring in the second body portion for biasing the housing arm when the cable is loosened, a ratchet wheel rotatably attached to the remote control and attached to a second end of the cable, and a hinged arm attached to the ratchet wheel for controlling the ratchet wheel. When the user actuates the hinged arm, the hinged arm pulls the cable around the ratchet wheel and pivots the housing arm to move the first body portion.
According to some embodiments, the lock includes a lock arm biased to the ratchet wheel for inhibiting movement of the ratchet wheel.
According to some embodiments, the lock includes a locking cam for tightening the cable when the extension arm is pivoted with respect to the second body portion.
According to some embodiments, the lock includes a ratchet arm rotatably attached to the second body portion and a plurality of ratchet grooves on the first body portion. The plurality of ratchet grooves interact with the ratchet arm to set the position of the first body portion.
According to some embodiments, the lock comprises at least one friction screw mounted in the second body portion, a spring mounted to the friction screw in the second body portion, and a friction body mounted to the spring. The friction body provides frictional force to any one or more of the first body portion, the adjustment arm, or the second body portion to set the position of the first body portion.
According to some embodiments, the lock includes a threaded fastener mounted in the adjustment arm for tightening the adjustment arm around a lock bolt to set the friction to hold the position of the first body portion. The lock bolt is fixed in the second body portion and inhibited from rotating axially.
According to some embodiments, the lock includes a lock bolt mounted and axially fixed in the second body portion, an expanding sleeve on the lock bolt operable to expand, and a nut on the lock bolt, which when tightened, expands the expanding sleeve. The expanding sleeve expands on the adjustment arm to set the friction to hold the position of the first body portion.
According to some embodiments, the lock includes a threaded fastener for tightening the second body portion around a lock bolt to set the friction to hold the position of the first body portion. The lock bolt is integral and moves with the adjustment arm.
According to some embodiments, the lock includes a lock bolt integral with the adjustment arm, an expanding sleeve on the lock bolt and operable to expand, and a nut on the lock bolt, which when tightened, expands the expanding sleeve. Wherein the expanding sleeve expands on the second body portion to set the friction to hold the position of the first body portion.
According to some embodiments, the lock includes a lock bolt for compressing the second body portion around the adjustment arm to adjust the friction between the first body portion and the adjustment arm to hold the position of the first body portion.
According to some embodiments, the lock includes a threaded fastener and a nut for compressing the nut against the adjustment arm to adjust the friction between the nut and the adjustment arm to hold the position of the first body portion.
Other aspects and features will become apparent, to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of the following description of some exemplary embodiments.
The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the present specification. In the drawings:
Various apparatuses or processes will be described below to provide an example of each claimed embodiment. No embodiment described below limits any claimed embodiment and any claimed embodiment may cover processes or apparatuses that differ from those described below. The claimed embodiments are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process described below is not covered by any of the claimed embodiments. Any embodiment disclosed below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such embodiment by its disclosure in this document.
Referring to
Conventionally, as the pedal 18 is pressed down, the rod 20 pulls the upper cymbal 14 down and closes the upper cymbal 14 onto the lower cymbal 16. For example, a user may step on the pedal 18 to clash the upper and lower cymbals 14, 16 together. The upper cymbal 14 is biased up. When the pedal 18 is released, the upper cymbal 14 is raised to open a space between the upper and lower cymbals 14, 16. Further, a user can vary the distance between the upper cymbal 14 and the lower cymbal 16 using the pedal 18 to produce varying sounds when the upper and lower cymbals 14, 16 are struck by a drumstick.
For the sake of clarity, in
The hi-hat controller 200 includes an actuator 212 for moving the first body portion 206 relative to the second body portion 208 through a range of motion to adjust a space 216 between the lower and upper hi-hat cymbals 202, 204. The first body portion 206 moves the lower hi-hat cymbal 202 with respect to the upper hi-hat cymbal 204 through the range of motion.
In an embodiment, the hi-hat controller includes a lock 214 for fixing the position of the first body portion 206 with respect to the second body portion 208 at any position along the range of motion. The lock 214 may automatically set the position of the first body portion 206 such that further user intervention is not required to prevent further movement of the first body portion 206. The lock 214 and the actuator 212 may maintain the position of the lower cymbal 202 throughout the range of motion, even where the user releases the actuator 212 or where the actuator 212 is not engaged by the user. When the actuator 212 is released by a user, the first body portion 206 remains in the set position with respect to the second body portion 208.
The hi-hat controller 200 allows the lower hi-hat cymbal 202 to be lifted as desired by the user. The space 216 between the lower hi-hat cymbal 202 and the upper hi-hat cymbal 204 is adjusted by hand using the hi-hat controller 200 without the use of the user's foot or foot pedal (e.g. pedal 18). In an embodiment, where the user presses on the foot pedal with an increased force, the upper hi-hat cymbal 204 presses down on the lower hi-hat cymbal 202 to lower the first body portion 206.
The hi-hat controller 200 may be an add-on to the hi-hat assembly that allows the user to control the opening of the hi-hat cymbals 202, 204 with or without the use of their foot. Alternatively, the hi-hat controller 200 may be integrally assembled with the hi-hat cymbal.
When the hi-hat controller 200 is in use, the user uses their hand and/or the drumstick to control the actuator 212 and thus the opening and closing of the hi-hat cymbals 202, 204. Once the user finds a desirable opening of the cymbals 202, 204, the lock 214 keeps the cymbals 202, 204 in that position, until the lock 214 is disengaged. The actuator 212 may disengage the lock 214. For example, when the actuator 212 is re-engaged by the user, the force of the lock 214 is overcome and the user can again adjust the height of the lower cymbal 202. When the height of the first body portion 206 is locked or set, the user does not need to actively keep the cymbals 202, 204 in the set position. In an embodiment, the user can hit other items (drums, cymbals, etc.) with their drumstick while controlling the hi-hat opening space 216 with the same hand holding the drumstick.
In an embodiment, the lock 214 may set the spacing of the lower and upper hi-hat cymbal 202, 204, at any position as desired by the user. The lower cymbal 202 may be positioned at a fully open position, a fully closed position, and anywhere in between. The lock 214 provides that the lower cymbal 202 is not biased in any direction (for example, downward due to gravity), and the actuator 212 provides a full range of positions for the lower cymbal 202.
In an embodiment, the user can adjust both the lower cymbal 202 with the actuator 212 and the upper cymbal 204 with the pedal.
The spiral actuator 312 includes a handle 318 that attaches to the shaft 306 and rotates with respect to the housing 308. The handle 318 engages in a slot 320 of the shaft 306 to move the shaft 306 up and down. The housing 308 does not rotate with respect to the stand 310. The shaft 306 does not rotate. The shaft 306 is axially locked to the housing 308 and moves up and down. The spiral actuator 312 may be at an angle selected to inhibit movement of the shaft 306 and that may be overcome when the handle 318 is adjusted by the user.
The spiral actuator 312 includes a friction fit lock 314 to hold the shaft 306 at a set position to inhibit the shaft 306 from sliding down from gravity. The friction fit lock 314 provides frictional forces to the shaft 306 to inhibit movement of the shaft 306 which may be overcome by movement of the handle 318.
The gear actuator 412 includes an adjustment arm 413 mounted to and rotatably attached to the housing 408. The adjustment arm 413 rotates a first gear 418 mounted in the housing 408. The first gear 418 is rotatably mounted in the housing 408 and attached to the adjustment arm 413. The first gear 418 meshes with and rotates a second gear 420. The second gear 420 meshes with a rack 421 on a shaft 406 (e.g. first body). When the second gear 420 rotates on the rack 421, the shaft 406 moves up and down to adjust a space 416 between a lower hi-hat cymbal 402 and an upper hi-hat cymbal 404.
The adjustment arm 413 pivots about a rod 415 in the housing 408. In an embodiment, the second gear 420 is smaller than the first gear 418 so that a small force in the adjustment arm 413 may have the desired holding force on the shaft 406. The holding force may inhibit movement of the shaft 406 that may be overcome by movement of the adjustment arm 413 by the user.
The hi-hat controller 400 includes a friction plate lock 414 to set the shaft 406 in position such that the height of the shaft 406 is adjustable by the adjustment arm 413. The friction plate lock 414 includes a threaded fastener 424 such as a screw in the housing 408 pushing on a spring 422 which pushed on a friction body 423. The friction body 423 provides friction on the first gear 418 to set the position of the shaft 406. When the threaded fastener 242 is adjusted, the friction on the first gear 418 is adjusted such that the appropriate friction force is exerted on the first gear 418 to provide a desired fixing strength. In certain embodiments, the friction body 423 may be positioned to provide friction on the first gear 418, the second gear 420, and/or the shaft 406.
The adjustment arm 513 pivots on a bearing 518 attached to a lock bolt 514. The lock bolt 514 can be tightened by the user to squeeze the housing 508 together to increase the friction on the adjustment arm 513 as illustrated at
In an embodiment, the lock bolt 514 has a tight tolerance in the housing 508. When the lock bolt 514 is tightened, the housing 508 tightens around the shaft 506 instead of the adjustment arm 513. The lock bolt 514 adjusts the friction between the shaft 506 and the housing 508 to lock the space 516 between the lower hi-hat cymbal 502 and the upper hi-hat cymbal 504.
In an embodiment, as illustrated at
In an embodiment, as shown in
The gear rod actuator 612 includes an adjustment arm 613 rotatably attached to the housing 608. The adjustment arm 613 has a geared surface 619 that mates with a rack gear 621 on the shaft 606. When the adjustment arm 613 is pivoted about adjustment pivot 623, the geared surface 619 engages with the rack gear 621 to raise and lower the shaft 606.
The hi-hat controller 600 includes a lock 614 rotatably attached to the adjustment arm 613. The lock 614 includes a lever 618 which pivots about the adjustment pivot 623 in the adjustment arm 613. The lever 618 includes a ratchet point 627 that is biased by a spring 620 against ratchet notches 622 in the housing 608. The ratchet notches 622 and ratchet point 627 set the adjustment arm 613 in place to inhibit movement of the shaft 606. The ratchet notches 622 and ratchet point 627 may inhibit movement of the adjustment arm 613 in one direction. For example, the lock 614 stops the shaft 606 from being lowered but allows for the shaft 606 to be raised by the user, while the lock 614 is engaged. The ratchet notches 622 and the ratchet point 627 may be on one or more places on the housing 608.
When a user presses the lever 618, the lever 618 unlocks the adjustment arm 613 from the ratchet notches 622 and allows the shaft 606 to be lowered.
The adjustment arm 713 includes a pivot pin 721 that moves up and down in a pivot slot 723 in a wedge 718 as the adjustment arm 713 moves. The wedge 718 is slidably received in the housing 708. The wedge 718 has an angled surface at one end and the pivot slot 723 at an opposite end. As the pivot pin 721 moves in the pivot slot 723, the wedge 718 moves laterally in the housing 708 (e.g. left and right in
The hi-hat controller 700 may include a lock to set the position of the shaft 706. In an embodiment, the angled surface of the wedge 718 frictionally engages with the angled surface of the shaft 706 to set the position of the shaft 706. The degree of the angle 720 and the frictional surface of the angled surfaces may be selected such that the shaft 706 is fixed in position when the wedge rod actuator 712 is released by the user.
In an embodiment, where increased fixing force is desired, the lock may include a fastener 714 that, when tightened, compresses the housing 708 to provide friction on any one or more of the wedge 718, the adjustment arm 713, and the shaft 706.
The hi-hat controller 800 includes a cable actuator 812 for moving the shaft 806 with respect to the housing 808 and thus adjusting the space 816 between the lower hi-hat cymbal 802 and the upper hi-hat cymbal 804. The hi-hat controller 800 includes a remote control 828 for triggering the cable actuator 812 remotely from the hi-hat. In an embodiment, the hi-hat controller 800 includes a lock 814 for locking the position of the shaft 806 with respect to the housing 808.
The cable actuator 812 includes a housing arm 818 rotatably attached to the housing 808 about a pin 820 to move the shaft 806 up and down. A wire or cable 822 is attached at a first end to the housing arm 818 with a pivot pin 824 and passes through an extension arm 826. The cable 822 is attached at a second end to the remote control 828 of the hi-hat controller 800. A spring 830 in the housing 808 contacts the housing arm 818 and biases the housing arm 818 when the cable 822 is loosened.
In an embodiment, the ratchet wheel 834 sets the position of the cable 822 with the lock 814. The lock 814 includes a lock arm 838 which, as shown in
In use, the user's palm may rest on a button 842 and when the user desires to release the ratchet wheel 834 to bring the shaft 806 down, the user actuates the lock arm 838 and the ratchet wheel 834 is released. The user may also activate the hinged arm 836 while having the lock arm 838 pressed (to disengage the lock 814) so the user can open and close the lower hi-hat cymbal 802 and the upper hi-hat cymbal 804 as needed without locking the shaft 806 in any fixed position.
The extension arm 826 may be hinged with respect to the housing 608. The flex housing 832 and the hinged position of the extension arm 826 may allow the user to position the remote control 828 as desired. The user may position the remote control 828 such that the user is able to hit other percussion instruments while operating the hi-hat controller 800.
In an embodiment, the space 816 between the lower hi-hat cymbal 802 and the upper hi-hat cymbal 804 may be adjusted by the user's hand 852. The user may be able to hold the drumstick 850 in the same hand 852 and hit other drums with the drumstick 850 within reach.
The hi-hat controller 1000 may include a locking cam 1022. The locking cam 1022 tightens around the cable 822 when the extension arm 826 is pivoted with respect to the housing 808 towards the stand 810. A pin block 1024 is mounted to the housing 808 and controls the rotation of the locking cam 1022 to tighten or loosen the cable 822. When the extension arm 826 is pivoted away from the hi-hat controller 1000, the cable 822 loosens and unlocks the position of the lower hi-hat cymbal 802.
While the above description provides examples of one or more apparatus, methods, or systems, it will be appreciated that other apparatus, methods, or systems may be within the scope of the claims as interpreted by one of skill in the art.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62138415 | Mar 2015 | US |
