Music – Instruments – Drum and cymbal beaters
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-28
2001-10-23
Hsieh, Shih-Yung (Department: 2837)
Music
Instruments
Drum and cymbal beaters
C084S422200, C084S422300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06307136
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to accurately and controlled selective actuation of different percussion instruments, as by a drummer's foot; and more particularly concerns improvements in drive apparatus to realize these objectives.
There is frequent need for drummer's foot operation of different percussion instruments, as by means of pedal operation. What is needed is a simple, effective and reliable drive system that is pedal operated, and which enables single foot driven accurate operation of multiple pedals, forcefully to selectively actuate different instruments such as drums, cymbals, and cowbells, and other percussion instruments. No prior system of which we are aware incorporates the multiple advantages in construction, operation and results which are now provided by the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a major object of the invention to provide an improved percussion instrument actuating assembly meeting the above needs. Basically, the assembly comprises, in combination
a) carrier structure,
b) first and second pedals carried to extend in generally side-by-side relation and to independently pivot,
c) first rotary axle structure operatively connected to the first pedal to be rotated thereby, and having rotary motion output locations spaced apart along the axle structure and via which rotary motion is transmissible to actuate different percussion instruments in response to selected pivoting of the first pedal, and
d) a second axle structure operatively connected to the second pedal to transmit motion for actuating an additional percussion instrument, in response to selected pivoting of the second pedal.
Accordingly, the user can quickly shift his single foot position to select which of the two pedals is to be foot-pivoted, whereby a quick selection as to operation of different percussion instruments can be made. Also, pivot integrity of each pedal, about a single axis, is maintained.
It is another object to provide first rotary axle structure that extends generally horizontally above the levels of the two pedals, and second axle structure that extends generally vertically to project above the level of the first rotary axle structure. In this regard, a guide tubing carried by the carrier may be provided, and within which the second axle structure extends, and including cymbals elements carried by the tubing and the second axle structure to clash in response to pivoting of the second pedal. Two support legs for the assembly may be carried by the tubing, and in such manner that a base plate typically supports the two pedals to independently pivot, the base plate also being separately pivotally connected to a tubing support frame so that the base plate can be folded upwardly with the pedals, for assembly storage and transport.
A further object is to provide for connection or connecting of a mallet, or mallets, to the first rotary axle structure at an intermediate and/or end location or locations on that axle structure. A percussion instrument support may be provided on the frame, and located in offset relation to the upright tubing and to the first axle structure, whereby a percussion instrument such as a cowbell may be carried and presented for impact by one such mallet.
Yet another object is to provide primary and secondary sections of the first axle structure, to be supported for independent rotation, a first mallet being connected to, or connectible to, one of said sections, the other of the sections being rotatable to transmit motion to actuate a different percussion instrument, via another of the rotary motion output locations.
In this regard, an auxiliary carrier may be provided as at a remote location, together with an auxiliary axle carried by the auxiliary carrier, to be rotated by said other section of the first rotary axle structure, the second mallet carried by the auxiliary axle, for rotation.
An additional object is to provide a clutch that is shiftable to transmit rotary motion to one or the other of said sections, in response to pivoting of the first pedal. That clutch may advantageously have a through opening to receive one or the other of said sections, as selected, and having a peripheral portion coupled to said one pedal, to be rotated thereby, allowing for quick-shifting of the clutch by the user, for selecting which of the percussion instruments is to be actuated or struck. A drive chain may then be operatively coupled between one of the two pedals and the peripheral portion of the clutch.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following specification and drawings, in which:
REFERENCES:
patent: 2845830 (1958-08-01), Haviland
patent: 3747464 (1973-07-01), Russell
patent: 4324164 (1982-04-01), Monte et al.
patent: 5789688 (1998-08-01), Schiano
patent: 5990401 (1999-11-01), Braun et al.
Lombardi Donald G.
Sikra Richard A.
Drum Workshop, Inc.
Haefliger William W.
Hsieh Shih-yung
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