Music – Instruments – Drum and cymbal beaters
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-17
2001-01-09
Nappi, Robert E. (Department: 2837)
Music
Instruments
Drum and cymbal beaters
C084S422200, C084S422300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06172291
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
a) Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to improvements in bass drum beating equipment; more particularly, the invention provides an enhanced drum pedal system having interchangeable cam profile members for attachment to the drum pedal sprocket to thereby enhance drum performance and versatility.
b) Description of Related Art
Current drum technology includes foot-operated bass drum assemblies wherein the drum pedals are manufactured with a sprocket and hub assembly disposed on a shaft. The sprocket and hub assembly engages a drive chain or strap driven by the pedal. The strap rides along a cam surface to provide a predetermined beater speed and playing response. Each sprocket and hub assembly is provided with a particular cam shape and, thus, a particular playing response.
The cam shape associated with the sprocket and hub assembly directly affects the beater speed for the bass drum. The sprocket and hub assembly mounted on the drum pedal shaft is provided to limit the travel distance of the beater; thus, with the same stepping force acting on the pedal, a user may have different playing response based on the movement of the beater. Conventional drum systems do not provide a convenient and versatile manner for the user to alter the cam shape. Rather, when a user's cam preference changes, that user must either purchase a new pedal system or replace an entire sprocket and hub assembly defining the cam shape.
From this description, it is noted that many kinds of products sold in the market cannot fulfill the requirements of a drum user and, consequently, there is a long and unfulfilled need for a convenient and versatile cam assembly for use in pedal-operated drums and constructed in accordance with the present invention which tends to litigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a unique interchangeable cam system wherein a user may alter the performance characteristics or playing response of a single drum pedal system by changing the cam profile for that pedal. The user need not disassemble the entire sprocket and hub assembly; rather, the cam profile is changed by selectively changing a detachable cam member with one of a series of cam members.
The present invention further provides a unique and efficient connection and disconnection system for quickly and efficiently removing and replacing a cam member on a sprocket assembly of a drum pedal.
The invention is embodied in a foot-operated, bass drum pedal assembly including a horizontally extending support plate, two upright members attached to and supported by the plate, and a horizontal axle supported by the two upright members for rotation about a horizontal axis. A sprocket is carried by the axle at a support location, and the sprocket has peripheral chain engaging portion affixed to a chain. An end portion of the chain is anchored to the sprocket, and the chain has a mid-portion engaging the sprocket along a detachable and interchangeable cam member. A pedal has a rear portion hingedly supported by the plate and a front portion attached to the chain, and the drum beater is rotatably driven by the axle through the sprocket and cam member.
As a result of the interchangeable cam profile member, the reaction speed of the beater in response to pedal movement may be altered and enhanced for more accurately timed drum beating based on the profile of the interchangeable cam member being utilized by the user. The rate of pedal return to the up-position may be changed to more effectively position the pedal for a subsequent, down push, for the next drum beat.
The present invention also provides an infinite number of possible cam profiles without substantially impacting the overall design and performance of the other components of the pedal system.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment will be more filly understood from the following specification and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3797356 (1974-03-01), Duffy et al.
patent: 4346638 (1982-08-01), Hoshino
patent: 4756224 (1988-07-01), Lombardi
patent: 5398584 (1995-03-01), Liao
patent: 5613275 (1997-03-01), Kolberg et al.
patent: 5714701 (1998-02-01), Hsieh
Hsieh Shih-yung
Liniak Berenato Longacre & White
Nappi Robert E.
Pearl Music Instrument Co
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