Patent Grant
9640154
Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to drum/cymbal pedal assemblies that can connect to drums and/or cymbals, such as hi-hat systems, and more particularly to pedal assemblies with features that can adjust the tension, resistance, and/or delay time that a user experiences upon actuating the pedal.
Description of the Related Art
A hi-hat is a common component of a drum set that can include two cymbals facing one another and mounted on a vertical tube or pole. A hi-hat can be operated in many different ways, including by a foot pedal which can cause the cymbals to strike one another, or by actuation using a drum stick, among other operation methods. The top and/or bottom cymbal can be adjustable so as to be mounted at different heights; in many prior art systems, the height of the top cymbal is adjustable. Adjustable cymbals can be attached to the tube using a clutch, which can aid in adjusting the cymbal height. Some exemplary clutches are described, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/506,350 to Sikra, filed on Oct. 3, 2014, which is fully incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Either cymbal can be adjusted so as to be, for example, separated from the other cymbal, to be in loose contact with the other cymbal, or to be in tight contact with the other cymbal.
Pedal assemblies are used as a mechanism with which a drummer can strike a drum and/or a cymbal, such as a hi-hat, with his or her feet, thus allowing the drummer's hands to be free for use with other instruments. Variations in drummer technique mean that it is very difficult to design a single pedal assembly to meet the needs of every drummer. Such variables can include desired drumming speed, foot force, and/or desired strike point, among other variables.
Adjustable pedals can provide the customization necessary to achieve some or all of a drummer's desired pedal characteristics. Some pedals with adjustable features are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,301,592 and 8,455,746 to Johnston and U.S. Pat. No. 6,590,147 to Kassabian, each of which is fully incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. However, adjustment mechanisms provided in the prior art can be unwieldy, which can increase difficulty to the user, and/or can lack adjustability of a variable which is independent of other variables, thus reducing the amount of customization available via adjustments.
Accordingly, there is a present need for a novel and efficient design for a pedal assembly for use with percussion instruments such as hi-hats which specifically addresses the aforementioned problems.
The present disclosure relates to drum pedal assemblies for use with an instrument, such as a hi-hat. The pedal assembly can include various adjustable features such that a user can alter the operation of the pedal assembly to fit his or her needs and playing style.
One embodiment of a pedal assembly according to the present disclosure can include a pedal, and a spring operably connected to the pedal. A first spring tensioning feature can be operable to adjust the length of the spring mechanism.
Another embodiment of a pedal assembly according to the present disclosure can include a base plate and a pedestal, and a pedal on the base plate. The base plate can be rotatable relative to the pedestal.
Yet another embodiment of a pedal assembly according to the present disclosure can include a pedestal assembly and a pedal connected to the pedestal assembly. Securing means can be attached to the pedestal assembly to interact with an object or surface thereunder.
Yet another embodiment of a pedal assembly according to the present disclosure can include a pedestal assembly, pedal, and spring mechanism operably linked to the pedal. A rigid link member can be between the pedal and spring mechanism. A bracket can be attached to the pedestal assembly, and can include a portion between the link member and the spring. The position of the bracket can be adjustable.
This has outlined, rather broadly, the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described below. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the teachings of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features, which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further features and advantages, will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
The present invention relates to a drum and/or cymbal beating devices and assemblies, such as a pedal device for use with a hi-hat. While pedal assemblies described herein may be described in certain cases as “hi-hat pedal assemblies,” it is understood that these pedal assemblies can be modified to fit other uses such as with other percussion instruments, or that concepts described with regard to a hi-hat pedal assembly can be incorporated into other types of pedal assemblies. The hi-hat pedal assembly according to the present invention can include various adjustment features and/or interlocking features. The adjustment features can adjust the tension and/or resistance a user experiences when actuating the pedal, the rebound characteristics of the pedal as it returns to its rest position after an actuation, and/or the inclination angle of the pedal. Moreover, the adjustment features can cause the pedal assembly to become collapsible. The hi-hat pedal assembly can also include a flexible heel plate attached to a base and/or pedal. Additionally, the hi-hat pedal assembly can include interconnection features such as tab/slot combinations for connecting two or more parts of the device. These tab/slot combinations can reduce or eliminate undesired movements. Such interconnection features are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/495,718 to Sikra, which is fully incorporated by reference herein.
Throughout this disclosure, the preferred embodiment and examples illustrated should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the present invention. As used herein, the terms “invention,” “device,” “apparatus,” “method,” “present invention,” “present device,” “present apparatus” or “present method” refers to any one of the embodiments of the invention described herein, and any equivalent and similar embodiments. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the “invention,” “device,” “apparatus,” “method,” “present invention,” “present device,” “present apparatus” or “present method” throughout this document does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced feature(s).
It is also understood that when an element or feature is referred to as being “on” or “adjacent” to another element or feature, it can be directly on or adjacent the other element or feature or intervening elements or features may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” or extending “directly onto” another element, there are no intervening elements present. Additionally, it is understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.
Furthermore, relative terms such as “inner,” “outer,” “upper,” “top,” “above,” “lower,” “bottom,” “beneath,” “below,” and similar terms, may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element to another. Terms such as “higher,” “lower,” “wider,” “narrower,” and similar terms, may be used herein to describe angular relationships. It is understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the elements or system in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
Although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, or section from another. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, a first element, component, region, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated list items.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, when the present specification refers to “an” assembly, it is understood that this language encompasses a single assembly or a plurality or array of assemblies. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
It is understood that while the present disclosure makes reference to pedal assemblies for use with percussion assemblies, such as hi-hats, and that pedal assemblies for drums and/or cymbal assemblies are the primary application concerned with the present disclosure, devices incorporating features of the present invention can be utilized with any application.
Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to view illustrations that are schematic illustrations. As such, the actual thickness of elements can be different, and variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances are expected. Thus, the elements illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
The hi-hat pedal assembly 100 can comprise a spring assembly such as the spring assembly 118 shown in
The hi-hat pedal assembly 100 can also comprise a bracket 122, rod 124, and pedestal 126, which can itself include a pedestal baseplate 126a. The bracket 122 can be adjustable, such as but not limited to vertically adjustable, and/or can be slidable, or in other embodiments may or may not be capable of movements including but not limited to sliding. Additionally, the bracket 122 can take many different shapes, including but not limited to an “L” shape “C” shape. Additionally, the hi-hat pedal assembly 100 can comprise a clamp locking assembly 128, pedal attachment mechanism 130, link member 132, and the hi-hat tubing 140. It is understood that different combinations of these and other components, including combinations omitting some of the above components, are possible.
The hi-hat pedal assembly 100 can include the ability to rotate and/or collapse amongst itself for storing purposes. As shown in
Tightening of the drum key screws 110 can also prevent or make difficult movement of the base plate 102, even if the clamping assembly 128 is in an open position. When the clamp locking assembly 128 is in an open position, the base plate 102 can incline. If the clamp locking assembly 128 is in a locked position, and/or, in some embodiments, if the drum key screws 110 are tightened, then the base plate 102 cannot be inclined, or can be more difficult to incline. As such, the clamp locking assembly 128 and/or the drum key screws 110 can be operable to control the incline and/or decline of the base plate 102 as desired by the user.
When the base plate 102 inclines or declines, such as inclines or declines in a rotational manner, the pedal 108 can move and/or rotate along with the base plate 102. When the base plate 102 and pedal 108 are inclined, one or both of the base plate 102 and pedal 108 can align at angles of 45° or above, and/or in some embodiments at angles of 60° or above, and/or in some embodiments at angles of 75° or above, and/or in some embodiments at an angle of near 90° or 90°, such as at or near the same angle as the pedestal 126 and/or hi-hat tubing 140 so as to be approximately parallel with the pedestal 126 and/or hi-hat tubing 140. Drum key screws such as the drum key screws 110 can then be re-tightened to lock the base plate 102 and pedal 108 into a compact position, and/or to make rotation or movement of the base plate 102 relative to the pedestal 126 more difficult. This can allow the hi-hat pedal assembly 100 to become much easier to store and/or transport. To reverse the process, drum key screws 110 can be loosened so that the base plate 102 and/or pedal 108 can decline. Once the base plate 102 and/or the pedal 108 are declined, the clamp locking assembly 128 can be locked into position and/or the drum key screws 110 can be tightened, which can replicate the positioning shown in
While the above describes a locking/rotation system incorporating a single drum key screw 110 on each side of the pedal assembly 100, it is understood that further such mechanisms can be used. For example, another drum key screw can be included below each of the drum key screws 110, with these additional screws being placed within an aperture pathway of the base plate portions 102a (it is understood that while the base plate portions 102a are shown as portions of the base plate 102, embodiments where these portions are separate elements is also possible). Thus, when not tightened, rotation could be enabled about the drum key screws 110, and when tightened rotation could be prevented or made more difficult. It is understood that such mechanisms could be used with or without mechanisms previously described, such as, for example, the clamp locking assembly 128.
The direct drive assembly 120 can comprise a link member 132, bracket 122, and/or rod 124. While a direct drive assembly is shown in the specific embodiment of
The direct drive assembly 120 can be configured such that the hi-hat pedal assembly 100 can be played in a manner such that other components of the pedal assembly 100 immediately respond or nearly immediately responds to user movement of the pedal 108, with little or no rebound after the pedal assembly has returned to its resting position. One factor in one such configuration is that the linking member 132 is rigid, such as metal. In hi-hat pedals known in the art, a chain is often used to pull the hi-hat cymbals together. However, a chain has “flop” or “give,” which can result in a delay or lag time once the user moves a pedal (and/or in the resulting return of the pedal to its resting position). As such, the direct drive assembly 120 of the present invention can allow a user to play with no, little, and/or reduced flop or give. While in some embodiments, the link member 132, bracket 122, and/or rod 124 are all rigid components that work in conjunction to allow the present invention to be played with no, little, and/or reduced delay or lag time, it is understood that embodiments of the present invention can also utilize chains, ropes, straps, and/or similar components in addition to or in place of those described above.
In some embodiments, the positioning of the bracket 122 can affect the playing experience of the user. In embodiments of the present invention, the position of the bracket 122 can be adjustable, such as vertically adjustable. In the specific embodiment shown, the bracket 122 is movable upward and downward, such as being slidable upward and downward. As shown in
If, however, the bracket 122 is in a raised position as shown in
In one specific embodiment, when the bracket 122 is lowered, the hi-hat pedal assembly 100 is in a configuration such that there is less rebound and/or bounce, and/or when the bracket 122 is raised, the pedal assembly 100 is in a configuration allowing more rebound and/or bounce. In other embodiments it is understood that this can be reversed.
Additionally, positioning of the bracket 122 can have an impact upon the tension/resistance felt by a user when actuating the pedal 108. For instance, when the bracket 122 is in a higher position, the pedal 108 can be at a higher angle, and/or a compression spring within the system can be less compacted (and be longer) due to the top of the spring being moved higher, and thus the spring may offer less resistance when a user actuates the pedal 108. When the bracket 122 is in a lower position, the pedal 108 can be at a lower angle, and/or the compression spring within the system can be more compacted (and be shorter), and thus the spring may offer more resistance when a user actuates the pedal 108. It is also understood that similar concepts can be applied to a tension spring, where the raised or lowered position may result in more or less tension within the spring and, thus, the pedal offering more or less resistance. Further, while the above describes the bracket impacting the position of the top of the spring, other embodiments where it impacts the position of the bottom of the spring are also possible, as well as embodiments where it impacts the position of both the top and bottom of the spring.
The tension/resistance in the pedal 108 can also be adjusted by the raising or lowering of spring assembly 118. The spring assembly can include a substantially vertical portion and a substantially horizontal portion. A spring tension screw 112 and/or adjustment screw 136 can be loosened to allow for the raising or lowering of the spring assembly 118. Alternatively, the use of an adjustment screw can automatically raise or lower the spring assembly 118 based upon the screwing motion. Similar systems are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/495,718 to Sikra, entitled “Drum Pedal with Adjustment Features and Interlocking Features” and filed on Sep. 24, 2014, which is fully incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
In one embodiment, raising the spring assembly 118 can result in increased pedal resistance and/or tension, and lowering the spring assembly 118 can decrease this resistance and/or tension. For example, in one embodiment, when the spring assembly 118 is raised to its highest position, the spring assembly 118 is configured so as to maximize resistance and/or tension in the pedal 108 (keeping all other variables constant), and the lowest position of the spring assembly 118 corresponds to the lowest resistance and/or tension in the pedal 108 (keeping all other variables constant). This can be due to the fact that, in one embodiment, raising the spring assembly 118, related spring bushing, and/or bottom of a compression spring (such as the spring bushing 262 and/or compression spring 260 in
Similarly, lowering the spring assembly 118, bottom of a spring bushing, and/or bottom of a compression spring can increase the length of the compression spring when the pedal assembly is at rest, meaning the compression spring provides less resistance to compression upon pedal actuation. It is understood, however, that the relationship of position height and the corresponding tension levels may be inversed.
In one such example wherein the relationship of position height and pedal tension/resistance levels are inversed in relation to the specific embodiment described above, a tension spring is used instead of a compression spring, such that lowering of the spring assembly and corresponding lengthening of the tension spring results in more spring resistance upon actuation of the pedal, and/or raising of the bottom of the spring assembly and corresponding shortening of the tension spring results in less spring resistance upon pedal actuation.
Once a user has achieved the desired resistance level in the pedal 108, the spring tension screw 112 and/or adjustment screw 136 can be tightened to lock the spring assembly 118 in place. Alternatively, if the screwing motion itself raises and/or lowers the spring assembly 118, the spring assembly 118 may already be locked into place. Similar features are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/495,718 to Sikra, entitled “Drum Pedal with Adjustment Features and Interlocking Features” and filed on Sep. 24, 2014, which is fully incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
In some embodiments, a heel plate 106 can be attached to the base plate 102 and/or a hinge piece 104. The hinge piece 104 can also be attached to base plate 102, or can be suspended over the base plate 102, such as between the heel plate 106 and the pedal 108. The heel plate 106 can also be flexible, such that it is referred to as a flexible heel plate. The heel plate 106 can be made of several different types of materials, such as metal. In some embodiments, the top of the heel plate 106 is separated from the bottom of the heel plate. The heel plate 106 can be several different shapes, such as a J-shape or a U-shape. In J-shape embodiments, the shorter end of the heel plate can be attached to base plate 102, while the longer end is attached to hinge piece 104. In these embodiments, the shorter end can be the bottom of the heel plate, while the longer end can be the top of the heel plate. The top of the heel plate 106 can flex in a downward manner when force is applied by a user. Further, suspension of the hinge piece 104 over the base plate 102 can add further flexibility to the heel plate 106. It is understood that in other embodiments, the heel plate 106 may not be flexible, and that the heel plate 106 can take various shapes.
The hi-hat pedal assembly 100 can also comprise interlocking features, such as interlocking features that can connect the base 102 to heel plate 106, heel plate 106 to hinge piece 104, and/or hinge piece 104 to pedal 108. Many pedal assemblies known in the art using conventional screw connections or other connections, such that some elements can begin to experience undesirable movement, which can be due to wear and tear. Moreover, undesired motion can also cause other problems, such as hinge lock-up based on bending of parts. The present invention can include interlocking features which can reduce or eliminate these problems. Some flexible heel plates and interlocking features which can be incorporated into embodiments of the present invention are discussed in commonly assigned U.S. application Ser. No. 14/495,718 to Sikra, which is fully incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
In some embodiments, the hi-hat pedal assembly 100 can include a pedal incline adjustment feature. In these embodiments, the pedal 108 can be attached to a pedal attachment mechanism 130, which in turn can connect to the link member 132. As shown in
In some embodiments, the height of the connecting member 134 relative to the pedal attachment mechanism 130 can adjust the incline angle of pedal 108. In these embodiments, when the drum key 116 or similar is loosened, the height of the pedal attachment mechanism 130 can be adjusted such that the connecting member 134 is lower or higher within an aperture of the pedal attachment mechanism 130. When the drum key 116 is tightened, the connecting member 134 can be locked into place within the pedal attachment mechanism 134, which can set the incline angle of pedal 108. For example, when the connecting member 134 is in a lower position in relation to pedal attachment mechanism 130, pedal 108 can be at a higher incline angle. When the connecting member 134 is in a higher position in relation to pedal attachment mechanism 130, the pedal 108 can be at a lower incline angle. Other embodiments including the inverse of that described above are possible. The incline angle of pedal 108 can be adjusted to fit a user's needs and preferences. Further, this incline angle adjustment can be made independent of other features or characteristics in hi-hat pedal assembly 100, such as independent of the resistance offered by the pedal 108. Accordingly, the pedal incline adjustment feature of the present invention allows the pedal assembly 100 to be highly customizable.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the pedal incline adjustment feature can be used in combination with a bracket such as the bracket 122 so that the pedal can be at the same angle whether the bracket 122 is at its maximum height or at its minimum height. Similarly, a tension adjustment feature such as the spring assembly 118 can be used in coordination with the bracket 122 such that a user can experience the same pedal resistance when the bracket 122 is at its maximum height or at its minimum height. Similarly, pedal angle and pedal resistance can be adjusted using, for example, the incline adjustment feature and the spring assembly 118 such that angle and resistance are the same when the bracket 122 is at its maximum height and at its minimum height. Pedal assemblies incorporating combinations of the features described herein can be highly customizable.
In some embodiments, the pedal assembly 100 can be held in place by securing means 150, such as spikes (although many different types of securing means including pillars, objects including roughened bottom surfaces, etc. are possible). The securing means 150 can be retractable within the rest of the pedal assembly, such as within the pedestal base plate 126a and/or the remainder of the pedestal 126. In one such embodiment, the securing means 150 are fully retractable within the remainder of the pedal assembly 100, although in other embodiments the securing means can be only partially retractable or not retractable. In some embodiments, the movement of another pedal assembly element, such as a drum key screw 152, can result in movement of the spikes 150. For example, when a drum key screw or similar device is loosened or tightened, a corresponding securing means 150 can move downward or move upward and retract, and vice versa. In other embodiments, the securing means 150 can be revealed or retracted without the use of drum key screws 152.
The securing means 150 can allow the hi-hat pedal assembly 100 to remain in place by engaging a surface or object under the pedal assembly 100. The use of spikes as a securing means, for example, can be particularly applicable to carpet surfaces. When the securing means 150 are lowered, they can engage the surface/object and hold the hi-hat pedal assembly 100 in place. Similarly, when the securing means 150 are raised, this can allow the pedal assembly 100 to be moved. It is understood that some embodiments of the pedal assembly 100 do not include the securing means 150 and/or drum key screws 152.
The compression spring 260 and/or spring bushing 262 can work separately and/or together with the spring assembly 218 to adjust the tension of the hi-hat pedal assembly 200. As described above with regard to the pedal assembly 100 shown in
As mentioned previously, the adjustment of the spring assembly 218 can increase and/or decrease the resistance in the pedal 208. Moreover, such adjustments can increase and/or decrease the velocity with which the pedal 208 and/or other components return to resting position after an actuation. For example, embodiments where the pedal 208 offers more resistance to actuation may also have a relatively higher return velocity of the pedal 208, and embodiments where the pedal 208 offers less resistance to actuation may have a relatively lower return velocity of the pedal 208 (although it is understood that other embodiments are possible). Accordingly, the spring assembly 218, the compression spring 260 and/or the spring bushing 262, as well as any other component described herein, can work together and/or separately to adjust to a user's preferred pedal assembly characteristics.
It is understood that embodiments presented herein are meant to be exemplary. Embodiments of the present invention can comprise any combination of compatible features shown in the various figures, and these embodiments should not be limited to those expressly illustrated and discussed.
Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to certain configurations thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the versions described above.
The foregoing is intended to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims, wherein no portion of the disclosure is intended, expressly or implicitly, to be dedicated to the public domain if not set forth in the claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/106,144 to Sikra, filed on Jan. 21, 2015, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/106,661 to Sikra, filed on Jan. 22, 2015, each of which is fully incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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