Foot pedal for drum

The present invention provides a foot pedal for a drum that can clamp a hoop regardless of a board thickness of a hoop, improves an operability, handling and moreover, appearance, and increases a freedom of a setting the angle of a foot board. A pedal frame provides a hoop pushing apparatus that clamps a drum hoop. The hoop pushing apparatus includes: a hoop clamp with rotatability; a bolt that is provided at a front edge portion of the hoop clamp, piercing the hoop clamp, and can be adjusted in height; a hoop holding and binding lever that is provided at a bottom side of the hoop clamp with rotability; and a clamp holding mechanism that rotates and holds the hoop clamp at a certain height. The hoop pushing apparatus, upon clamping, holds and binds the hoop with a hoop receiving member and the hoop holding and binding lever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a foot pedal for a drum for beating a drumhead on a bass drum by using the foot.

Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-167913, filed Jun. 8, 2005, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

2. Description of the Related Art

This kind of foot pedal used for playing the bass drums has a hoop clamping apparatus for clamping a hoop (a frame for clamping) (for example, see Japanese Patent Application, First Publication No. H11-184461, Japanese Patent Application, First Publication No. H05-73032 and Japanese Patent Application, First Publication No. H08-248949).

FIG. 3andFIG. 4A-Cshow an example of a foot pedal for a drum in a prior art. A foot pedal1of the drum has a hoop clamping apparatus4clamping a hoop (clamping frame)3of a drum2, and upon stepping on a footboard5, a leg-power transmission member6is pulled down and a rocker7is rotated to a direction of a bass drum2, therefore, a beater9attached to an end of a beater rod8beats a drumhead10.

The hoop clamping apparatus4includes a hoop clamp13provided with rotatability on a supporting bar base12of a pedal frame11, an adjuster bolt14attached at a back end side of this hoop clamp13(side of a player), a cam mechanism15rotating the hoop clamp13when the hoop3is clamped, and so on. The cam mechanism15has a cam17rotating the hoop clamp13and a clamp lever18rotating this cam17. The cam17is formed to be substantially rectangular upon viewing from a side or to be oval (elliptical) and is set to the supporting bar base12via a rotation shaft16so as to be just under the adjuster bolt14. The cam17is formed to have an external surface that is a cam-shaped surface, it is kept in a substantially horizontal state as shown inFIG. 4Awhen the hoop3is not clamped, and its upper surface touches an under surface of the adjuster bolt14. The clamp lever18is attached to one edge of the rotation shaft16.

When the hoop3is clamped by using the hoop clamping apparatus4, a height of the adjuster bolt14should be adjusted corresponding to a board thickness of the hoop3beforehand, and a gap between a hoop receiving portion12A of the supporting bar base12and the hoop clamp13should be larger than the board thickness of the hoop3. Next, the hoop3is inserted into the gap between the hoop receiving portion12A and the hoop clamp13, and a bottom of the hoop3is mounted on the hoop receiving portion12A. In this state, as shown inFIG. 4Bor4C, the clamp lever18is rotated substantially 90 degrees clockwise, and the cam17is raised perpendicularly. When the cam17stands up, the adjuster bolt14is pushed up, and the hoop clamp13pushes the hoop3by rotating in a counterclockwise direction around an axis19as a center of the rotation, therefore, the hoop3is held by binding with both the hoop receiving portion12A and the hoop clamp13. InFIG. 3, a symbol20is a rotation axis (shaft) laying across laterally and rotatably between a pair of bars21set right and left of the pedal frame11, and a symbol22is an extension spring giving a constant rotational force to the footboard5and the beater9via the rocker7in a direction of returning.FIG. 4Bis a figure showing a state in which a hoop with a large board thickness is held by binding, andFIG. 4Cis a figure showing a state in which a hoop with a small board thickness is held by binding.

A setting angle α (height) of the footboard5of the foot pedal1for such a drum is varied in accordance with a preference of a player, and it is possible to adjust it by changing a length of the leg-power transmission member6. In this case, a moving distance (rotation angle) of the beater9to the drumhead10upon stepping on the footboard5is kept constant, therefore, a moving distance (falling distance) of the footboard5is also constant regardless of the setting angle α.

In accordance with the conventional hoop pushing apparatus4above, the adjuster bolt14is attached at a rear edge side of the hoop clamp13, therefore, in a case such that a setting angle α is small, when the footboard5is stepped on, there is a possibility that the footboard5may hit the adjuster bolt14or the hoop clamp13, and therefore, there is a problem in that an adjustment range of the setting angle α is limited.

Moreover, the adjuster bolt14is set at a position under the footboard5, therefore, a hand should be inserted under the footboard5and the adjuster bolt14should be rotated (screwed, or wrenched) upon adjusting it, that is, there is a problem in that an adjusting operation is troublesome.

On the other hand, for example, foot pedals for the drum shown in Japanese Patent Application, First Publication No. H05-73032 and Japanese Patent Application, First Publication No. H08-248949 are known.

With respect to the foot pedal for the drum described in Japanese Patent Application, First Publication No. H05-73032, it is constituted from a connection portion that connects the hoop of the bass drum to the pedal frame and that includes two members, an upper portion and a lower portion, formed in a shape like an alligator's mouth. These two members are supported by a shaft and can be opened and closed. These two members are pierced and screwed together by a wing nut. Therefore, upon clamping the hoop, it is possible to hold and bind the hoop by the two members in the shape like an alligator's mouth by clamping the wing nut. However, in accordance with such a structure, the hoop should be clamped by using a clamping force in order to clamp the hoop, therefore, it is difficult to clamp the hoop with a large holding or binding force, and therefore, there is a problem in that the hoop is easily disengaged from the two members in the shape like an alligator's mouth because of vibrations and the like upon playing.

The foot pedal for the drum described in Japanese Patent Application, First Publication No. H08-248949 includes a cam member for rotating a hoop clamp body and a hoop clamp operation unit constituted from an adjuster bolt with a handle for rotating the cam member, which are on a base plate providing a front frame and their side of the adjuster bolt with the handle is protruding outward from an outer edge of the footboard while they are in a shape extended with an oblique angle in a direction from a front edge portion of the cam member to a side of the bolt with the handle. In accordance with such a structure, because the adjuster bolt is provided at a right or left side from the foot board, therefore, there is no interference between the footboard and the adjuster bolt even when the setting angle is small. Moreover, there is an advantage in that it is possible to clamp and release the hoop by operating at a right or left side of the foot pedal with good operability without being disturbed from the drumhead of the bass drum.

However, in a case of providing the hoop clamp operation unit protruding at the right or left side of the foot board, a larger setting space is needed for the foot pedal for the drum upon using, therefore, there is a problem in that settings of other drums or stands for music instruments are limited. In a case of providing the hoop clamp operation unit protruding at the right or left side of the foot board, there are problems such that it has a poor appearance and a larger space for storing is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was devised in order to address the above-described problems, and has as an object of providing a foot pedal for a drum that can clamp the hoop reliably regardless of the board thickness of the hoop, that improves operability and a handling along with providing a good appearance, and that extends a freedom of a setting angle of the foot board.

In order to attain the objects above, the present invention provides a foot pedal for a drum, including: a hoop clamp that is provided on a supporting bar base of a pedal frame with a rotatability in a direction back and forth; a hoop of a bass drum that is provided at a front edge portion of the hoop clamp and is adjusted with respect to a height; a hoop pushing unit that pushes and fixes the hoop on a hoop receiving portion of the supporting bar base; and a clamp holding unit that rotates and holds the hoop clamp upon clamping the hoop.

In the above-described foot pedal for the drum, the hoop pushing unit may be a bolt that is screwed and set into a screw hole which is formed at a front edge portion of the hoop clamp.

In the above-described foot pedal for the drum, the clamp holding unit may include: a cam that is provided at the supporting bar base with rotatability and has a cam surface touching a bottom of a rear edge potion of the hoop clamp; and a clamp lever that rotates the cam.

The above-described foot pedal for the drum, may further includes: a hoop holding and binding lever that is provided at a bottom side of a front edge portion of the hoop clamp, has a rotatability upward and downward, and is pushed to the hoop by the hoop pushing unit; and an energizing unit that gives a force in a returning direction to the hoop holding and binding lever.

In accordance with the present invention, the hoop pushing unit is provided and its height can be adjusted, therefore, it is easy to adjust the height of the hoop pushing unit and it improves operability and handling of the foot pedal. There is no possibility that a footboard hits the hoop pushing unit, therefore, it is possible to apply the setting angle of the foot pedal smaller and to extend the range of the setting angle.

Moreover, the hoop clamp operation unit is provided such that it is not protruding at the right or left side of the foot board, therefore, its appearance is not harmed and space for storing can be smaller.

In accordance with the present invention, by applying the clamp holding unit, the hoop clamp is rotated upon clamping, the setting angle is not changed because of the board thickness of the hoop and it is possible to improve the freedom of changing of the setting angle of the foot board.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the hoop clamp pushing unit is constructed from a bolt, therefore, products on a general market can be applied.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the hoop clamp is provided with rotatability in backward and forward directions around a rotation shaft which is a fulcrum, therefore, it is possible to provide a large external force at a front edge portion by applying a leverage. Moreover, the clamp holding unit is constituted from the cam provided under a rear edge portion of the hoop clamp with rotatability and the clamp lever that rotates the cam, therefore, a larger external force can be provided on the hoop clamp.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the hoop holding and binding lever is further included, therefore, compared to a hoop pushing means constructed from a bolt, it is possible to extend a contact area and to clamp the hoop stably and reliably.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereafter, the present invention is explained in detail based on an embodiment referring to figures.

FIG. 1shows a principal part of a foot pedal for a drum of the present invention when not clamped, andFIGS. 2A and 2Bshow states upon clamping hoops with a large board thickness and a small board thickness. It should be noted that the same portions and/or parts are referred by using the same symbols (reference numerals) for a foot pedal of the prior art shown inFIGS. 3 and 4.

InFIGS. 1 and 2, a foot pedal30of a drum of the present invention, as with the foot pedal for the drum of the prior art shown inFIG. 3, includes a pedal frame11in a square shape upon viewing from the front, a footboard5stepped on by a player with his/her foot, a beater9(seeFIG. 3) which beats a drum head10and the like. However, there is a difference in a hoop clamping apparatus31provided at a supporting bar base12of the pedal frame11and clamping a hoop3of a bass drum2, from a hoop clamping apparatus4inFIGS. 3 and 4.

The hoop clamping apparatus31has a hoop receiving member32provided at the supporting bar base12for receiving the hoop and a hoop clamp13provided upward from the supporting bar base12.

The hoop receiving member32is formed in a inverted triangle shape upon being seen from a side, is set inside a slit (concave, depression or the like) portion33formed at a front edge of the supporting bar base12by horizontally providing a shaft34while being supported with rotatablility in a direction back and forth (in a direction up and down), and has the hoop3set on a upper surface32a. With respect to the shaft34, both edges are supported with rotatability by bearing apertures provided at both right and left side walls of the slit portion33, and the shaft34pierces an aperture (through-hole) provided at a center between a head and a tail and at slightly closer to a bottom of the hoop receiving member32.

The hoop clamp13has the same length as or longer than a length substantially from a head to a tail (horizontal length in figures) of the supporting bar base12and has an appropriate width. The hoop clamp13is supported by a rotation axis19at the approximate center in the longitudinal direction with rotatability back and forth. The rotation axis19is supported with rotatability by a pair of shaft receiving portions (not shown in figures) provided at the right and left while piercing surfaces of the supporting bar base12. A screw hole (tapped hole, screwed runner)36is formed at a front edge portion (on a side of the bass drum) piercing from an upper surface to a bottom. A bolt37constituting a hoop pressing means is screwed into and set into the screw hole36from the upper surface, and its lower edge appears out of the bottom of the hoop clamp13.

At the front edge of the hoop clamp13, on a side of the bottom, a hoop holding and binding lever38which holds the hoop3by binding it together with the hoop receiving member32is set. With respect to this hoop holding and binding lever38, its front edge is set at just under the bolt37, its rear edge is supported with rotatability in upward and downward directions by the rotation axis19, and its front edge is touching the bottom of the bolt37by pushing because it is always pushed upward by an energizing means40. A torsional coiled spring attached to the rotation axis19is applied to the energizing means40, its one end is hooked to the supporting bar base12, and another end is touching by pushing the bottom of the hoop holding and binding lever38.

The hoop clamping apparatus31is provided with a clamp holding mechanism (unit)41. This clamp holding mechanism41is a mechanism for keeping the hoop clamp13at a certain height by rotating the hoop clamp13upon clamping the hoop3, and is constituted from a cam17for rotating the hoop clamp13and a clamp lever18for rotating the cam17.

The cam17is formed in an oval (elliptical) shape seen from a side, is set inside of a slit (depression, or concave) portion43which has an aperture (through-hole) at a center through which a rotation shaft16is provided and which is formed at a rear edge of the supporting bar base12, and is set under a rear edge of the hoop clamp13. The cam17has a first cam surface44aand a second cam surface44bsubstantially crossing at right angles. The first cam surface44ais a surface close to a center of the cam17, and is set upward from the rotation shaft16and touching a bottom of a rear edge of the hoop clamp13when the hoop3is not clamped. On the other hand, the second cam surface44bis a surface apart from the center of the cam17, and is set at a side of the hoop3from the rotation shaft16when the hoop3is not clamped.

The cam17is fit and fixed to the rotation shaft16by using a setscrew45. Both edges of the cam17are supported with rotatability by bearing apertures provided at both right and left side walls of the slit portion43, and the clamp lever18is set at a side of one edge. As shown inFIG. 1, the clamp lever18is kept in a state of standing substantially up right. In this state, the hoop clamp13is kept so as to have a rear edge side at a lower position than a front edge side because the hoop clamp13is rotated clockwise by a restoring force from the hoop holding and binding lever38due to the energizing means40. When the clamp lever18is rotated clockwise and substantially at 90 degrees from this state, the cam17stands up and the second cam surface44bpushes up the bottom of the rear edge of the hoop clamp13, therefore, as shown inFIG. 2Bor2C, the hoop3is kept in a substantially horizontal state regardless of the board thickness of the hoop3. It should be noted that, inFIG. 1, a symbol46is a bolt for fixing a plate that is not shown in the figures at a bottom of the supporting bar base12.

When the hoop3is clamped by using the hoop clamping apparatus31, by adjusting a height where the bolt37is fixed corresponding to the board thickness of the hoop3, a gap between the hoop receiving member32and the hoop holding and binding lever38is set to be larger than the board thickness of the hoop3, more accurately, it is set to be substantially the same as a value obtained by adding a difference between heights of the cam surfaces44aand44bto the board thickness of the hoop3. As shown inFIG. 2Bor2C, when the clamp lever18is rotated clockwise and substantially at 90 degrees in this state, the cam17stands up. When the cam17stands up, the second cam surface44bpushes up the bottom of the rear edge of the hoop clamp13, therefore, the hoop clamp13is rotated counterclockwise around the axis19as a center and is kept in a substantially horizontal state. When the hoop clamp13is rotated, the hoop holding and binding lever38is rotated in a manner such as being one unit with the hoop clamp13and pushes the hoop3, therefore, the hoop3is held by binding between the hoop receiving member32and the hoop holding and binding lever38.

As described above, with respect to the foot pedal30of the drum, because the bolt37which constitutes the hoop pushing means is attached to the front edge side of the hoop clamp13, the footboard5does not hit a top portion of the bolt37or a rear portion of the hoop clamp13while the bass drum2is played and the footboard5is stepped on, therefore, it is possible to improve operativity of the foot pedal30of the drum upon playing.

In the present invention, in accordance with the structure, the clamp holding mechanism41keeps the hoop clamp13at a certain height regardless of the board thickness of the hoop3, and moreover, the bolt37is attached at a front edge side of the hoop clamp13, therefore, it is possible to keep and hold the hoop clamp at a lower position than the prior art. Therefore, it is possible to increase the setting angle α of the footboard5.

In the present invention, the clamp holding mechanism41constituted from the cam17and the clamp lever18is provided, therefore, upon clamping the hoop3, it is possible to give a large force for holding by binding to the hoop receiving member32and the hoop holding and binding lever38even though an operational force is small.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment above, the hoop holding and binding lever38is provided at a bottom side of a front edge of the hoop clamp13in order to prevent damaging to a large surface of the hoop clamp3upon holding and binding. Therefore, if such a mechanism is provided by the hoop pushing means37itself, it is possible to omit the hoop holding and binding lever38and to give a rotational constant force in a returning direction to the hoop13directly from the energizing means40.

In the present invention, the clamp holding mechanism41is constituted from the cam17and the clamp lever18, however, this is not a limitation and it is possible to apply various modifications.