Pedal system and method

An electronic percussion instrument pedal device uses a spring structure in a space between a bottom structure and a foot pedal board structure to regulate the movement of the foot pedal board structure. Even when the foot pedal board structure is not being moved, it is regulated by the above mentioned spring structure into a proper near horizontal position. If the foot board is stepped on, the coil spring will stretch and a load (stability) will become strong. As a result, when the foot board is in a position near the position in which it is not stepped on, the load is initially relatively light and then becomes heavier as the user continues to further step on the foot board. This is approximated to the action of an acoustic bass drum, and a good actuation feeling.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

Japan priority application number 2006-328958, filed on Dec. 6, 2006 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to pedal device configurations for electronic percussion instrument pedals, and methods of making and using the same.

There are various kinds of electronic percussion instruments. Among them are some that have pedal devices with acoustic bass drums and some in which only a bass drum pedal device is used. The basic structure of the electronic percussion instrument pedal device for an acoustic bass drum has been similar to an electronic percussion instrument pedal device structure. In both structures, the drum head is struck by the downward pressure applied to a foot pedal which is connected to a lever system that moves a beater to strike the drum head to function and produce sounds. Depending upon the power, pressure and duration of the strike, different sounds are produced.

An electronic percussion instrument pedal device is disclosed in the Japanese public patent number 6-8998. In that device, a beater unit is used to strike the head of a drum face to produce sound. The head of the drum is backed by a sensor unit in order to electronically detect the hits made upon the drum head surface. The electronic detections are then converted to data that are conveyed through various available media to produce sounds electronically.

Another electronic percussion instrument pedal device is disclosed in the Japanese public patent number 9-97075. In that device, when the foot pedal is stepped on, it activates a sensor for an electronic high hat device. A structure of such a high hat device is shown inFIG. 10. It is struck by depressing the pedal unit102towards the bottom structure105. Between the bottom surface105and pedal unit102, there is a main spring structure110. The angle of deflection between the pedal device102and the bottom structure105is set at an angle greater than 0.

In the pedal structure, the starting position of the pedal102is set by another spring structure112. At a lower portion of s shaft structure120which is attached to the pedal unit102, is a sensor pressing member107. The sensor pressing member107is activated when depressed by the plank structure103which is moved downwards as a result of downward pressing of the pedal unit102by a foot action. Beneath the sensor pressing member107is located the sensor pattern108. When the sensor pressing member107comes in contact with the sensor pattern108, the degree of contact will dictate the level of electrical impulse which will be sent along through the system. According to the impulses sent, sound reconstruction will take place.

One of the limitation of the device of the first Japanese patent document number described above, is that it required the beater head to physically strike the drum head and thus causing the generation of some unwanted secondary sounds.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of an electronic percussion instrument pedal device are disclosed. Such embodiments utilize a spring structure in a space between a bottom surface structure and a foot pedal board structure to detect, via a sensor, the movement of the foot pedal board structure relative to the bottom surface structure. When the foot pedal board structure is not pressed, its position is regulated by the above mentioned spring structure along a line from the rotating shaft to a spring stop shaft. In this way, the ability to adjust the foot pedal board structure relative to the bottom surface structure is accomplished via the adjustment of the spring structure. This spring structure can also adjust the angle of the foot pedal board structure relative to the above mentioned bottom surface structure. The spring structure can also be adjusted to enhance the strength of the striking power of the above mentioned foot pedal board structure.

In one embodiment, the relative height of the above mentioned foot pedal board structure and the above mentioned spring structure are regulated with respect to each other via the inclusion of securing structures that connect directly to the spring structure.

In another embodiment, insulated electrodes are provided to communicate data from the sensors as output. These electrodes may be attached to the foot board structure via an insulated shock resistant connection structure which allows the connection between the sensor and the foot board structure to be maintained despite undesired movements.

In another embodiment, the securing structures create contact with the sensors and the insulated electrodes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A food pedal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a foot board structure, where the up and down motion, as well as the limits set upon the motion of the foot board structure is regulated via a spring structure. There are also sensors connected to the foot board structure which sense movements in the structure. The spring structure also maintains the foot board structure at a position level that provides easy strike access to the user when it is not in use. The spring structure can also be utilized to regulate the angle of the resting position for the foot board structure. This set up also allows the foot board structure to utilize the return spring energy to increase the power of the strikes when the foot board structure is stepped upon. As a result, an artist user may find the pedal device to be relatively easy and comfortable to adapt to and use.

This system can provide ease and comfort of use by being very close to the feel of using a real acoustic bass drum when the artist strikes it. Thus for artists who have learned to play on real acoustic bass drums, the feeling is not too dissimilar and thus makes this system much easier to adapt to.

As shown inFIG. 9, a pedal device201for an acoustic bass drum includes a foot board structure202and a rotary shaft structure205that is arranged to rotate the beater rod on which a beater206is attached. An arm204is fixed to the rotary shaft205and has one end connected to, at a lock point, to an end of a spring structure203. In the situation where the foot board structure202is not operated, the spring structure203pulls the end of the arm204downward. As a result, the beater206is held at the distance which is separated from a face of a percussions surface, and the foot board structure202is held at a prescribed angle relative to the floor.

The arm204is supported by the shaft structure205. The lock point section of the arm204at which the spring structure203is attached moves in an arc motion having a radius centered at the axis of the shaft structure205.

The spring structure203pulls the arm204downward. As a result, when a lock point for the spring structure203is in the lowest position, only a relatively small load on the foot board structure202need be applied to cause a change of a rotation angle.

However, the load becomes larger as the shaft structure205rotation angle becomes larger. Because the beater206has a certain amount of mass, when the beater206begins to move, the user can experience a good actuation feeling, based on the inertia of the beater206.

FIG. 8shows a diagrammatic chart depicting the rotation angle θ relative to the load f. The abscissa axis of the diagrammatic chart represents the rotation angle θ of a footboard relative to the bottom plate, and the ordinate axis represents the load f. In the diagrammatic chart, Line A shows characteristic of a pedal device for acoustic bass drums, while Line B shows characteristic of a pedal device as shown inFIG. 10.

For Line A, when the rotation angle θ is small, the load f is small, and the incremental increase of a load is also small. However, if the rotation angle θ becomes large, the load will increase and the incremental increase in load is also large. On the other hand, Line B is a characteristic corresponding to an old pedal device for electronic musical instruments as shown inFIG. 10. For Line B, when the rotation angle θ is 0, the initial load “a” has occurred. This initial load “a” is set with the fly nut. If the rotation angle θ becomes large, a load will increase proportionally.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, a pedal device for an electronic musical instrument has the same weighted characteristics as Curve A. As a result, it approximates a feeling of actuation of a pedal device for acoustic bass drums to provide a good actuation feeling for electronic musical instruments.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, the spring is attached to the foot pedal board as well as to the bottom surface structure, and regulates the up and down as well as the resting movement of the foot pedal board along with a first securing structure. A second securing structure is connected to the second end of the spring structure. Thus by utilizing these two securing structure components in conjunction with the spring structure, the electronic percussion instrument pedal device does not need an arm connected to the foot pedal board as in other devices of a similar nature. The pedal thus can be easier to use and more comfortable for the user. Another result is that it becomes much less likely that there will be missed strikes.

According to a third embodiment of the present invention and also expanding upon the first and second embodiments of an electronic percussion instrument pedal device, sensors are composed of two insulated electrodes formed on bottom plates and a sensor pressing member which functions to short circuit the two electrodes with rotation of a footboard. A sensor pressing member changes continuously the surface area which contacts the two insulated electrodes, according to the angle of the bottom plates relative to the operating plane of the footboard. As a result, an amount of electrical resistance is dependent upon the angle of the footboard relative to the bottom plates. Therefore, the amount of actuation of the foot pedal can be detectable by measuring the electrical resistance.

Also, with this structure, there is no need for an actual beater, and the possibility of a beater making any secondary and unnecessary sounds can be eliminated. The result can be a virtually silent pedal system, except for the desired electronically generated sound.

According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and also expanding upon the third embodiment of an electronic percussion instrument pedal device, a first securing structure is attached to an end of the foot board structure and any movement of the foot board structure activates and is continuously monitored by the sensor electrodes discussed above. With the movement of the above mentioned components acting as an actuator for the sensing system, the need for a large number of sensors is reduced. Thus, with the reduction in sensors the overall pedal device structure and the can be easier to move, assemble, disassemble and play.

A pedal device1according to an embodiment of the invention is shown inFIG. 1, in an external view. The electronic percussion instrument pedal device1includes a foot board structure2, a weight3, a movement component4, a bottom surface structure5, a cover6, and a coil spring10arranged to prove a pulling force.

The bottom surface structure5is created to act as a base for the rest of the pedal device1. Near a first end of the bottom surface structure5, there is a movement component4, which is attached to a linkage connection structure5a. The other end of the bottom surface structure5is connected to the cover6.

The foot board structure2is made of a suitable material and configuration to take a great deal of abuse from the repeated stepping of the user, such as, but not limited to high impact aluminum. A first edge of the foot board structure2is connected to the bottom surface structure5via the movement component4. The foot board structure2is connected to a central location of the bottom surface structure5which allows for the optimal range and ease of movement.

At a second edge of the foot board structure2, the weight3is connected by a screw to the bottom surface of the foot board structure2. The coil spring10is connected (and may be stretched) from the weight3to a central portion of the cover6. The weight3unit may be the same or similar kind of weight found on the bottom of the foot board structure of a traditional acoustic drum set up. Conventionally, this kind of weight functions to counter balance against the weight of the beater attached to the end of the foot board structure in an acoustic drum set up and has been made out of either iron or some other dense heavy metal. In embodiments of the present invention, the weight3may be configured to act as the weight and the actuator structure.

The electronic percussion instrument pedal device1ofFIG. 1is shown in a top-down view inFIG. 2(a). InFIG. 2(b), the electronic percussion instrument pedal device1is shown in a cross-section along line A ofFIG. 2(a). InFIG. 2(b), an example of a connection of one end of the coil spring10to the weight3as well as a securing structure3a. The coil spring structure10can freely rotate with the securing structure3a. In the interior of the central portion the cover6is shown the connection of the coiled spring10to another securing structure6a. The securing structure6aacts to automatically control the movements of the coil spring10.

The energy stored within the coiled spring structure10when the foot board structure2is not in use is kept in check by the combined restraint placed upon it by the movement component4as well as the securing structures3aand6a. When the foot board structure2is not is use, the components holding it and the spring in check generally keep the foot board structure2at rest at an angle (for example, but not limited to, from about 20 to about 30 degrees) relative to the bottom surface structure5. When the foot board structure is depressed through action of the artist, the coil spring10expands and energy is created to return it back towards its normal length once the pressure has been removed.

Placed between the weight3and the bottom surface structure5, is the sensor pressing member7as well as the sensor pattern8. On the leading edge of the cover6is a connection jack9. The sensor pressing member7may comprise, for example, but is not limited to a resiliently flexible pad of material, such as a pad of rubber. The sensor pressing member7is secured in a similar fashion as the electrodes and has one edge (the right edge inFIG. 2(b)) connected in a fixed relation to the bottom surface structure5. The other edge (the left edge inFIG. 2(b)) is left free to come into contact with the underside of the weight3when the weight3is brought down by pressure applied to the foot board structure during play.

When the weight3is brought down as the pedal device is played, the sensor pressing member7is contacted by the bottom edge of the weight3and is forced in the direction toward the sensor pattern8to come into contact with the sensor pattern8on the bottom surface structure5(as shown inFIG. 3). The sensor can detect when the distance between the foot board structure2and the bottom surface structure5has changed, as well as the rate of that change.

The jack9is accessible from the outer edge of the cover6. The jack9provides an electrical connection for communicating sensor data from the sensor pressing member7and sensor pattern8. The jack9is arranged adjacent the bottom surface structure. The jack9provides an electronic connection to convey the sensor data as electronic signals for transmission or storage as well as to connect power to the sensor units in order for them to function.

FIG. 3shows the weight3as well as the sensor components.FIG. 3shows the sensor pressing member7as well as the sensor pattern8provided on the top of the bottom surface structure5. An example of a sensor pattern8and sensor pressing member7is illustrated inFIGS. 4(a)-(c). The sensor including the sensor pressing member7and pattern8operates by measuring the distance between two points by the electrical resistance between the points.

While the sensor pressing member7is not normally in contact with the sensor pattern8, when the foot board structure2is sufficiently pressed during play, the pressing member7will press along its length against the sensor pattern8until both ends of the sensor pressing member7meet the sensor pattern8.

The sensors are able to measure and determine the relative position of the foot board structure2and convert these measurements into signals for producing sounds as the foot board structure2is moved up and down. Along with the detection of the relative space between the foot board structure2and the sensor pattern8, the rate of change can also be detected which allows the relative force of each pressure upon the foot board structure2to be measured. Utilizing these measurements of space and force upon the foot board structure2, the sensors can be used to accurately recreate the sound which would come from an acoustic style drum.

With respect toFIG. 4(a)-(c), the sensor pattern8is described in further detail.FIG. 4(a) illustrates a top sensor film8aas seen from above.FIG. 4(b) shows a spacer layer8bandFIG. 4(c) shows a sensor pattern film8c, each as seen from above.

The top sensor film8amay be made from, for example, but not limited to a thin layer of polyester film or the like. In the center of the thin layer of top sensor film8ais an electrical lead8a1made of an electrically conductive material, such as, but not limited to, silver paste or the like. Also, a connector such as, but not limited to, a bolt or the like is provided on one side of the sensor film8ain order to attach the top layer sensor film8to the bottom surface structure5. The top sensor film8ais also connected to the bottom surface structure5, for example, via a bolt through a hole8a3.

The spacer8bmay be made of the same type of thin polyester film as the above mentioned sensor film. The spacer8bmay look similar to the film8a. The spacer8bhas a central opening8b1that aligns with the silver paste center of the film8a. Connectors, such as bolts or the like may extend through opening8a2and a corresponding opening in spacer8bto hold the sensor pattern8to the bottom surface structure5as well as to the sensor pressing member7. Thus, in addition to the connection point8b1, a securing bolt through a hole8b2may hold the film8a, spacer8band bottom surface structure5together.

The sensor pattern film8cmay be constructed of the same type of material as the film8aand the spacer8b, such as, but not limited to a thin layer of polyester film. The sensor pattern film8cis connected to the rest of the sensor pattern8and the bottom surface structure5via a connective structure8c6and is, otherwise, similar outside to the top layer film8aas well as to the spacer layer8b.

In the sensor pattern8structure there are at the bottom layers two electrically conductive lines, such as, but not limited to carbon strips8c1running along the length dimension of the structure. These carbon strips8c1each run through the silver paste8c2sections and act as electrical leads connecting the silver paste8c2to the connective structure8c6. The connective structure8c6provides an electrically conductive path for electrical signals communicated through the silver paste at various levels within this structure.

On one side of the sensor pattern film8c(the left side inFIG. 4(c)) and aligned at the same location as the connective bolt opening8a2is the connective structure, such as, but not limited to a bolt opening8c4for receiving a bolt or the like, to help hold the sensor pressing member7, the sensor pattern8and the bottom surface structure5together. Also adjacent the length of the carbon connective strips8c1is another connective structure, such as, but not limited to a bolt opening8c5for receiving a bolt or the like which to help hold together the sensor pressing member7, the sensor pattern8and the bottom surface structure5.

The bottom of the sensor pattern film8c, which is part of the sensor pattern8, is attached to the bottom surface structure5. Lying above the film8cis the spacer layer8b, and connected above the spacer layer8bis the top sensor film layer8a. The top sensor film layer8a, the spacer film layer8bas well as the sensor pattern film8care all held together and to the bottom surface structure5by multiple connectors, such as, but not limited to small bolts or the like.

In addition to being secured to the bottom surface structure5, the two carbon strips8c1are connected to and extend from the bottom surface structure5, through a central region in the sensor pattern film8cthat is aligned with the silver paste8a1on the top sensor layer8aand is aligned with the corresponding opening in the central region of the film spacer8b.

When the sensor pressing member7is not being depressed or moved during play, the film space layer8bacts as a separator of the top sensor layer8aand the sensor film pattern8c. In this state the carbon strips8c1do not make contact with the internal silver paste8a1on the top sensor layer8a. It is in this way that the connection between the various electrical components function to send signals. Without contact the carbon strips8c1do not electrically connect to the silver paste8a1, thus forming an open circuit between the carbon strips8c1.

When the sensor pressing member7is being depressed or moved during play, the spacer film layer8bis compressed and no longer fully separates the top sensor layer8afrom the sensor film pattern8c. In this state the carbon strips8c1make contact with the silver paste8a1to provide an electrical connection. However, once there is contact, even relatively slight changes in the position of the sensor pressing member7can be sensed. As the foot board2is depressed from its un-depressed state, the conductive material8a1begins to contact the conductive material8c3first. As the foot board2is depressed further, the sensor pressing member7begins to flatten down and push on the top layer8a. Further depression of the foot board2causes further flattening and pressing of the sensor pressing member7on the top layer8a, such that the position at which the carbon strips8c1are contacted by the conductive material8a1changes and approaches the conductive material8c2. The resistance between the carbon strips8c1changes, as the location at which the conductive material8a1contacts the carbon strips8c1changes. Accordingly, a detection of the resistance between the carbon strips8c1can be taken, for example, from electrodes (not shown) attached to the electrical connective structure8c6, where the detected resistance is dependent on the location of contact between the conductive material8a1and the carbon strips8c1and, thus, the amount of depression of the foot board2. In one example embodiment, a processor may be connected to the electrodes (not shown) attached to the electrical connective structure8c6, where the processor may be programmed or otherwise configured to detect a resistance level and determine the pedal board position, based on the detected resistance.

FIG. 5(a) shows a position of the foot board2when it is not being used, whileFIG. 5(b) shows a position of the foot board2when it is being depressed during play. When the foot board2is not in use as shown inFIG. 5(a), the coil spring10is held or locked in place by its own tension and by the shaft or other suitable securing structures3aand6a, and is also held tight by the connective structure4. Thus, when not in use the foot pedal2is held in the above described position. When the foot board2is depressed during use the securing structures3aand6astretch into a different position in order to allow the foot pedal to operate freely and without obstruction or resistance. A change in the positions of the securing structures3aand6arelative to each other, even a very small change, causes the securing structures3aand6ato release and allow the foot board2to move freely. Because the change in relative position which locks and unlocks the securing structures3aand6acan be relatively small, the foot pedal is able to be unlocked with a simple light push and relocked into resting position by withdrawing the pressure previously applied.

The load of this pedal device for electronic bass drums is approximated to the characteristic of the pedal device for the acoustic bass drums of the curve A shown inFIG. 8. As a result, this pedal device provides a good actuation feeling for electronic bass drums.

When the foot board2is not operated on the pedal device1, the foot board2is fixed at an angle relative to the bottom surface structure5by the coil spring10. If the foot board2is stepped on, the coil spring10will stretch and a load (stability) will become strong. As a result, when the foot board2is in a position near the position in which it is not stepped on, the load is initially relatively light and then becomes heavier as the user continues to further step on the foot board2. This is approximated to the action of an acoustic bass drum, and a good actuation feeling.

As described above, an electronic percussion instrument foot pedal device1may be configured such that, when the foot board2are not in use the angle at which the foot board2is held relative to the bottom surface structure5is dictated by the adjustment of the securing structures3aand6aand the coil spring10and, when a user wants to begin play, the user need only apply pressure to unlock the foot board2and the coil spring will release to full extension thus allowing for instant playability. In addition, according to embodiments of the present invention, as compared to traditional acoustic bass drum configurations, the resistance of the spring can also be set, thus allowing the user to change the strength necessary to get the same sound. For example, the user may adjust the strength in a manner to avoid becoming overly tired during a performance.

FIG. 6shows a side, cross-section view of an electronic percussion instrument foot pedal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the first embodiment described above, the second securing structure6awas connected to the cover6and one end of the coil spring10. In addition, the foot board2was restrained by the first securing structure3a. However, in an electronic percussion instrument foot pedal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the foot board is held in place not by the second securing structure6aattached to the cover6, but by the pulley21. Also, one end of a coil spring22is held in place with respect to the bottom surface structure5by a securing structure5band the second end of the coil spring22is held by one end of a wire23that is wrapped around the upper edge of the pulley21. The other end of the wire23is attached to the end of the foot board2and is held in place by the weight3as well as the first securing structure3a.

The pulley21is positioned on top of the cover6and functions as a securing device and also as a receiving point for the wire23. The wire23may be, for example, a thin steel wire that is flexible and of sufficient strength to bear the force of the spring22.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 6, the foot pedal2is held into place in a rest position when not being used by a combination of the coil spring22, the pulley21, the first securing structure3aas well as the connective structure4.

When the foot board2is to be played, the user need only step on it with a degree of pressure which will pull the wire23and stretch the coil spring22. This embodiment, as with the first embodiment, may be configured to resemble the force characteristics of an acoustic bass drum. However, embodiments of the present invention may be configured with a foot pedal configuration and recoil characteristics that can be easier to adapt to and play.

An electronic percussion instrument foot pedal device according to a third embodiment of the present invention is described with referenced toFIGS. 7(a) and7(b).FIG. 7(a) shows a top down view of an electronic percussion instrument foot pedal device1.FIG. 7(b) shows a side, cross-section view taken along the line A to A inFIG. 7(a).

In the first embodiment, the foot board2was attached to the weight3by a series of screws. In the third embodiment, a connective groove2aextends along the length of the foot board2. A weight31is connected to the connective groove2aby at least one screw32, thus adding flexibility, stability and much improved strength to the foot board2. The screw32may be screwed in from the bottom of the foot pedal2in such a way as to insure that while they will firmly help attach the weight to the foot pedal and that they will not protrude from the top of the foot pedal2. The weight31, like weight3, may be made of either iron or another dense heavy metal and has a threaded screw hole for the screw32to be inserted. In one embodiment, the screw32may be configured with a slotted head to receive a flat-head screw driver. However, other embodiments may employ other suitable screw configurations, including star (Phillips) style, hexagon (Allen) style, or the like.

In that regard, the user may help minimize failure while performing. By utilizing a screw driver as described above, this weight33will be extremely firmly attached to the foot board2.

The above description and the accompanying drawings explain and illustrate some of the various iterations of electronic percussion instrument foot pedal device embodiments of the present invention. However, those are but a few, non-limiting examples of the possible iterations of the present invention.

For example, the above embodiments use a coil spring system to balance and reflect the energy of the foot board during play but a user could alternatively use other spring configurations, including, but not limited to a flat (leaf) style spring.

Also, in the first embodiment, the foot board2used the weight3and the securing structures as well as the spring to move to the rest position. However, in the third embodiment, a connective groove2awas added to make the resting position of the foot pedal2more efficient by being able to secure different and greater weights to the foot board2. Thus the performer would be able to set a preference as to the amount of weight and resistance desired to have on their foot board.

Also in the above embodiments, the coil spring10was restrained by the securing structures3aand6a. However, the position and degree of securing from these components can be adjusted, which allows the user to set preferred resistance and resting positions for the foot boards at any desired angle.