Abstract:
An adjustable drum pedal has a foot pedal and a base plate. A frame is coupled to the base plate. A support bar having a slot running a length of the support bar is coupled to the frame and raised above the base plate. A drum beater mechanism is movably coupled to the frame to allow one to adjust a position of the drum beater mechanism on the frame. A drive assembly is movably coupled to the drum beater mechanism and the foot pedal for moving the drum beater mechanism when pressure is applied to the foot pedal and for returning the drum beater mechanism to a starting position when pressure is removed from the foot pedal. A clamping device is movably coupled to the base plate for allowing one to couple the adjustable drum pedal in multiple positions relative to a drum. An adjustment device has a first end coupled to the foot pedal and a second end slidably coupled in the slot in the support bar. The adjustment device is used for adjusting a position of the foot pedal relative to the base plate.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application entitled “ADJUSTABLE DRUM PEDAL AND METHOD THEREFOR”, having Ser. No. 11/203,455, filed on Aug. 12, 2005 and which is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,570,076, entitled “ADJUSTABLE DRUM PEDAL AND METHOD THEREFOR” having Ser. No. 09/992,868, filed Nov. 16, 2001. The above are both in the name of the same inventor and are hereby incorporated herewith. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention generally to musical instruments and more specifically, to an adjustable drum pedal which allows the user to adjust the position and/or angel of the pedal in order to have better control and comfort when using the drum pedal. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In order to operate a bass drum, a pedal mechanism is generally provided which includes a depressible foot pedal. When the foot pedal is depressed, a means is activated which causes a beater ball to move through an arc and strike the bass drum. When pressure is removed from the pedal and the pedal is released, the beater ball will return to a resting position ready to move forward again to strike the drum when pressure is again applied to the foot pedal and depressed again. 
         [0004]    It is a well known that the feet of different people are different in both size and shape. Furthermore, many people have alignment problems with their feet such as being pigeon toed or duck footed. Other individuals have feet which may be diseased or have a muscle control problem. However, present conventional bass drum pedal are not adjustable in order to compensate for the above mentioned problems. Present bass drum pedals have no mechanism in which to allow the operator to adjust the position of the foot pedal in different directions in a quick and efficient manner as well as to adjust the position of the beater ball. 
         [0005]    Therefore, a need existed to provide an adjustable drum pedal that overcomes the above mentioned problem. The adjustable drum pedal will allow the operator to adjust the position of the foot pedal in different directions in a quick and efficient manner. The adjustable drum pedal will further allow the operator to adjust the position of the beater ball. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable drum pedal has a foot pedal and a base plate. A frame is coupled to the base plate. A support bar having a slot running a length of the support bar is coupled to the frame and raised above the base plate. A drum beater mechanism is movably coupled to the frame to allow one to adjust a position of the drum beater mechanism on the frame. A drive assembly is movably coupled to the drum beater mechanism and the foot pedal for moving the drum beater mechanism when pressure is applied to the foot pedal and for returning the drum beater mechanism to a starting position when pressure is removed from the foot pedal. A clamping device is movably coupled to the base plate for allowing one to couple the adjustable drum pedal in multiple positions relative to a drum. An adjustment device has a first end coupled to the foot pedal and a second end slidably coupled in the slot in the support bar. The adjustment device is used for adjusting a position of the foot pedal relative to the base plate 
         [0007]    The present invention is best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is an elevated perspective view of one embodiment of the adjustable drum pedal of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a partial bottom view of the rear section of the base plate used in the adjustable drum pedal depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional side view of the adjustable drum pedal taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the adjustable drum clamp used in the adjustable drum pedal of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a partial front view of the cam and beater mechanism of the adjustable drum pedal of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional side view of the cam mechanism used in the adjustable drum pedal taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional side view of the beater mechanism used in the adjustable drum pedal taken along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a partial bottom view of the top section of the base plate used in the adjustable drum pedal depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a cross sectional side view of the support bars used in the adjustable drum pedal depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a cross section view of the spring mechanism used in the adjustable drum pedal taken along lines  10 - 10  of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is an elevated perspective view of another embodiment of the adjustable drum pedal of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is an elevated perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 11  with a section of the pedal removed. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 11 . 
       
    
    
       [0021]    Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detailed description to indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    Referring now to the  FIG. 1 , an adjustable drum pedal  10  (hereinafter drum pedal  10 ) is shown. The drum pedal  10  has a base plate  12 . The base plate  12  has a first slot  14  located along a bottom section of the base plate  12 . The slot  14  runs along the majority of the width of the base plate  12 . A foot pedal  16  is movably coupled to the base plate  12  within the first slot  14 . A coupling mechanism  18  is used to movably coupled the foot pedal  16  to the base plate  12  and to allow the foot pedal  16  to pivot in a vertical manner. 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIG. 2  wherein like numerals and symbols represent like elements, a magnified view of the coupling mechanism  18  is shown. The coupling mechanism  18  has a tab member  20 . The tab member  20  is of a size to secure the foot pedal  16  within the first slot  14 . The tab member  20  will allow the foot pedal  16  to slide within the first slot  14 . The tab member  20  will further allow the foot pedal  16  to rotate about the tab member. Thus, the tab member  20  will allow the operator of the drum pedal  10  to quickly and easily adjust the position of the foot pedal  16  relative to the base plate  12 . The operator will then be able to comfortably place his/her foot completely on the foot pedal  16  no matter what size, shape or alignment problem he/she may have. 
         [0024]    The coupling mechanism  18  further has a hinged member  22 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , the hinged member  22  is coupled to the tab member  20 . However, it should be noted that the tab member  20  and the hinged member  22  may be formed of a single piece. In the present embodiment, the hinged member  22  is coupled to the tab member  20  via one or more connectors  24 . The foot pedal  16  is coupled to the hinged member  22  by a pin  26 . The pin  26  allows the foot pedal  16  to pivot about the hinged member  22 . 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 4  wherein like numerals and symbols represent like elements, a clamping device  28  is shown. The clamping device  28  is used to attach the drum pedal  10  to a rim of a bass drum  30 . What is unique about the clamping device  28  is that the clamping device  28  is adjustable. The clamping device  28  will allow the operator to adjust the position of the drum pedal  10  in relation to the bass drum  30 . 
         [0026]    The base plate  12  has a second slot  32  (See also  FIG. 8 ). The second slot  32  is located on a top section of the base plate  12 . The second slot runs a majority of the width of the base plate  12 . The clamping device  28  is designed so that the clamping device  28  is allowed to slide within the second slot  32  in order to adjust the position of the clamping device  28 . The clamping device  28  will have a tab member  34 . The tab member  34  is of a sufficient size to secure the clamping device  28  within the second slot  32  but still allow the clamping device  28  to slide within the second slot  32 . 
         [0027]    The clamping device  28  has an adjustment device  36 . The adjustment device  36  is used to lock the clamping device  28  in position. By loosening the adjustment device  36 , the operator may slide the clamping device  28  within the second slot  32  in order to adjust the position of the clamping device  28 . When the operator has selected the proper position for the base pedal  10 , the operator will tighten the adjustment device  36  to lock the clamping device  28  in position. By tightening the clamping device  28 , the operator will further secure the foot pedal  10  to the rim  31  of the bass drum  30 . By tightening the adjustment device  36 , a pair of skid resistant pads  40  will contract around the rim  31  of the bass drum  30  securing the foot pedal  10  to the bass drum  30 . The clamping device  28  has a follower rod  41 . The follower rod  41  will help in locking the clamping device  28  to the bottom of the rim  31  of the bass drum  30 . The follower rod  41  will have a skid resistant pad  40  to aid in securing the foot pedal  10  to the bass drum  30 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , a beater support bar  40  is coupled to the base plate  12 . The beater support bar  40  is comprised of a pair of vertical bar members  42 . As seen more clearly in  FIG. 9 , one end of each vertical bar member  42  is coupled to a base member  44 . The base member  44  is coupled to the base plate  12  via a coupling device  46 . The coupling device  46  may be a screw, peg, rivet, or similar item. It should be noted that the above listing should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0029]    On the other end of each vertical bar members  42  is a loop member  48 . A crossbar  50  is inserted into each of the loop members  48 . The crossbar  50  is allowed to rotate within the loop members  48  when a torque is applied to the crossbar  50 . A wheel mechanism  52  is coupled to the crossbar  50 . The wheel mechanism  52  is further coupled to the foot pedal  16  via a belt  54 . The belt  54  may be a metal chain, a rubber belt or like element. It should be noted that the listing of the above examples should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention. When pressure is applied to the foot pedal  16 , the belt  54  (via the wheel mechanism  52 ) will cause the crossbar  50  to rotate. This will cause a drum beater  56 , which is also coupled to the crossbar  50 , to strike the bass drum  30 . 
         [0030]    The wheel mechanism  52  has a release mechanism  53 . The release mechanism  53  will allow the wheel mechanism  52  to slide on the crossbar  50  and be placed at any position on the crossbar  50 . This will increase the adjustability of the drum pedal  10 . This is due to the fact that moving the wheel mechanism  52  will allow the foot pedal  16  to move and pivot to a greater degree. 
         [0031]    Referring now specifically to  FIG. 7 , as stated above, the drum beater  56  is also coupled to the crossbar  50 . What is unique about the drum beater  56  is that the drum beater  56  is removably coupled to the cross bar  50 . The drum beater  56  has a release mechanism  58 . The release mechanism  58  will allow the drum beater  56  to slide along the crossbar  50  and to be placed at any position on the crossbar  50 . This will allow the drum beater  56  to always be striking the center of the bass drum  30  no matter the position of the drum pedal  10 . Furthermore, by moving the drum beater  56 , one may increase the adjustability of the drum pedal  10 . This is due to the fact that moving the drum beater  56  will allow the foot pedal  16  to move and pivot to a greater degree. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  5 , and  7 , a spring device  60  is coupled to the crossbar  50 . The spring device  60  has a cam  62 . The cam  62  is coupled to the crossbar  50 . One end of a spring  64  is coupled to the cam  62 . The other end of the spring  64  is coupled to the base plate  12  or the base member  44 . When pressure is applied to the foot pedal  16 , the crossbar  50  will rotate causing the drum beater  56  to strike the bass drum. When pressure is removed from the foot pedal  16 , the spring device  60  will bring the crossbar  50  back to its original position drawing the drum beater  50  back away from the bass drum  30 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 11-13 , wherein like numerals and symbols represent like elements, another embodiment of the present invention is show. In this embodiment, the drum pedal  10 A is basically the same as that shown in  FIGS. 1-10 . Thus, only the differences will be elaborated upon. 
         [0034]    In this embodiment, the full length base plate  12  has been replaced with a base plate  12 A that runs approximately a third of the length of the foot pedal  16 . The base member  44 A has further been changed to have a support bar  70  coupled horizontally between the vertical bar members  42 . The support bar  70  is coupled to the vertical bar members  42  so as to be slightly raised above the base plate  12 A. The support bar  70  will have a slot  72  which runs a majority of the length of the support bar  70  in a horizontal manner. 
         [0035]    The coupling mechanism  18  is still used to movably couple the foot pedal  16  to the base plate  12 A and to allow the foot pedal  16  to pivot in a vertical manner. In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 11-13 , the coupling mechanism  18  has a foot pedal tab  80 . A bottom surface of the foot pedal tab  80  will be approximately planar with a bottom surface of the base plate  12 A. A non skid type of material may be placed on the bottom surface of the foot pedal tab  80  to prevent the foot pedal tab  80  from moving when the drum pedal  10 A is being used. The foot pedal tab  80  is hingly coupled to the foot pedal  16 A to allow the foot pedal  16 A to pivot in an up and down motion. A bar member  74  has a first end  74 A which is secured to the foot pedal tab  80  using an attachment device  76 . The attachment device  76  may be a screw, peg, rivet, or the like. The second end  74 B of the bar member  74  is slidable coupled to the support bar  70 . The second end  74 B is coupled to the slot  72  in the support bar  70  using a coupling device  78 . The second end  74 B is coupled to the slot  72  in the support bar  70  to allow the second end  74 B of the bar member to slide in the slot  72 . The coupling device  78  may be a screw, peg, rivet, or similar item. It should be noted that the above listing should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0036]    The bar member  74  will allow the foot pedal  16  to slide within the slot  72 . Thus, the bar member  74  will allow the operator of the drum pedal  10 A to quickly and easily adjust the position of the foot pedal  16  relative to the base plate  12 A. The operator will then be able to comfortably place his/her foot completely on the foot pedal  16  no matter what size, shape or alignment problem he/she may have. 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 11-13 , the belt  54  used with the wheel mechanism  52 A is cord/rope  54 A. The cord/rope  54 A uses a pair of end caps  55 . The end caps  55  are used to couple the cord/rode  54 A to the wheel mechanism  52 A and the foot pedal  16 . One end cap  55  is used to secure the cord/rope  54 A to the wheel mechanism  52 A. A channel  53  is formed in the wheel mechanism  52 A to hold the cord/rope  54 A in the wheel mechanism  52 A. Once the cord/rope  54 A is placed in the channel  53 , an end cap  55  is placed around the cord/rode  54 A and inserted into the end  53 A of the channel  53 . The other end of the cord/rope  54 A is coupled to the foot pedal  16 . A channel  16 A is formed in a front bottom section  16 B of the foot pedal  16 . The cord/rope  54 A is placed in the channel  16 A. The second end cap  55  is placed on the cord/rope  54 A to secure the cord/rope  54 A in the foot pedal  16 . The use of the cord/rope  54 A decreases the cost of the drum pedal  10  and is easier to change out than the belt  54 . The use of the channel  53  and the channel  16 A along with the end cap, assure that the cord/rope  54 A stays properly mounted. 
         [0038]    The spring device  64 A has also been modified. The spring device  64 A has a first end cap  64 B. A ring  64 C is coupled to the end cap  64 B. The ring  64 C is then mounted to the crossbar  50 . The other end of the spring  64 A has a second end cap  64 B′ with a ring  64 C′ coupled thereto. The ring  64 C′ is hingly coupled to a bar member  66 D via pin  66 E. The bar member  66 D being coupled to a bottom section of the vertical bar members  42 . When pressure is applied to the foot pedal  16 , the crossbar  50  will rotate causing the drum beater  56  to strike the bass drum. When pressure is removed from the foot pedal  16 , the spring device  60  will bring the crossbar  50  back to its original position drawing the drum beater  50  back away from the bass drum  30 . The use of the end caps  64 B and  64 B′, the rings  64 C and  64 C′, and the pin  66 E help in rotating the spring  64 A when the foot pedal  16  is pressed. The rotation of the spring  64 A allows for a smoother movement of the foot pedal  16  when it is pressed downward and when it returns to its original resting position. 
         [0039]    This disclosure provides exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited by these exemplary embodiments. Numerous variations, whether explicitly provided for by the specification or implied by the specification, such as variations in structure, dimension, type of material and manufacturing process may be implemented by one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure.