Abstract:
The present invention provides methods and systems for a musical percussion instrument foot pedal that uses a pair of high gauss rated magnets, one under the foot pedal and one on the base below the foot pedal the magnets aligned for magnetic repulsion. The magnetic repulsion between the magnets return the pedal to its original position after having been depressed. An inclined magnet support on the base may allow stacking magnets, raising and lowering the height of the base magnet, or sliding the base magnet into greater and lesser alignment with the pedal magnet. The present invention also contains a pair of side plate assemblies that contain magnets on opposing ends and are aligned for magnetic repulsion in for aiding cam movement.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The current application claims the benefit of the earlier priority filing dates of the provisional application, Ser. No. 61/641,516 that was filed on May 2, 2012. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to percussion instruments and particularly to a musical instrument foot pedal, which uses a pair of magnets, one under the foot pedal and one on the base below the foot pedal, and the magnetic repulsion therebetween to return the pedal to its original position after having been depressed. The present invention also contains a pair of side plate assemblies that contain magnets that are aligned for magnetic repulsion for aiding cam movement in the horizontal and vertical direction. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The basic drum-kit consists of several drums, most of which are played by means of a stick in each hand, and a bass drum and cymbals and sometimes other percussion instruments which are played by depressing a foot pedal to swing a hammer to strike the drum or other percussion instrument or to pull down one cymbal on top of another to clang them together. The return mechanism on conventional pedals includes a spring, which supplies the force to return the pedal to its original position after having been depressed. The spring in such arrangements have often contributed unwanted metallic noises and interfere in the foot operation while playing. 
         [0004]    Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,536, issued Apr. 11, 1989 to Lombardi, claims a foot-operated, bass drum pedal assembly including: a base in the form of a metal plate, a first drum beater, a support for the beater mounted on the base, and a pedal pivotally mounted to the base and operatively connected to the beater to pivot same as the pedal is pivoted by the drummer&#39;s foot, and structure (magnet on the pedal and Hall Effect Sensor on the base) located proximate the pedal to sense downward movement of the pedal to predetermined downward position, and to produce an electrical signal usable to effect production of phenomena corresponding to a drum beat. A single magnet was used on the bass drum foot pedal, but with a sensor on the base, not another magnet, and a spring lifts the pedal after pressing down. 
         [0005]    Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 3,967,523, issued Jul. 6, 1976 to Currier, describes a power driven drum beater, which is controlled by means of a foot pedal. The pedal device serves to close an electrical circuit for the actuation of a pivoted solenoid actuated beater mounted on a rod. The foot pedal is further pivotable enabling an electrical contact on the underside thereof to be brought into a desired position along a resistance selector for driving the beater with variable speed or intensity and at a variable rate. The pedal return solenoid is disposed beneath the foot rest and is connected in said electrical circuit means for simulating the rebound or kickback of a conventional non-electric drum beater. 
         [0006]    Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,684,734, issued Feb. 3, 2004 to Gatzen, provides a pedal assembly for a bass drum or for high hat cymbals. The pedal assembly has a flat base plate with a resilient pedal board clamped to it, with the pedal board inclined to receive a foot. A beater stick is connected with the toe end of the pedal board by a linkage that drives the beater stick against a bass drum when the pedal is depressed. The resiliency of the pedal board returns it to its normal position when foot pressure is withdrawn. A striker pad limits the depression of the pedal board to limit the force that the beater stick can apply to the drum. 
         [0007]    Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,644, issued Feb. 5, 1980 to Kurosaki, shows a foot pedal assembly for drums, which comprises a rocker cam for holding a beater head and a resilient belt or strap for operationally connecting the rocker cam to an inclined foot pedal are coupled to each other via meshing engagement by cooperating indentations formed on mating surfaces of the two members. Tensile strength of the belt or strap is remarkably enhanced by fortifying members such as steel wires or glass fibers longitudinally embedded in the belt or strap. Stress concentration on a set screw for fixing the belt or strap to the rocker cam can be avoided, permanent strain of the belt or strap after long use is divided into mutually incumulative small fragments and reliable coupling between the belt or strap and the rocker cam assures fair conversion of foot action into beater head movement without undesirable metallic noises. 
         [0008]    Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,146, issued Nov. 25, 1980 to Purdy, claims a bass drum pedal assembly that includes a foot pedal for operating a beater head, the foot pedal including a foot plate which is slidably mounted on a support coupled to the beater head and which is biased towards a rest position. In use, the player depresses the foot pedal and can, at the same time, slide the foot plate forward against its biasing. At the end of a stroke, the pedal returns upwardly and the foot plate is returned to its rest position by said biasing means. 
         [0009]    Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,802, issued Aug. 7, 1990 to Ruprecht, discloses a pneumatic return for foot pedals associated with percussion instruments, such as bass drums and hi-hat stands. The assembly permits adjustable mounting of a drum beater bar, foot pedal and drive chain while providing automatic return of the pedal to a neutral position by means of gas compressed upon depression of the pedal. Gas pressure within the pneumatic return mechanism is also adjustable. There is further optionally provided a substantially identical pneumatic unit for damping the return movement of both the drum pedal and hi-hat stand. 
         [0010]    Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,520,710, issued Jun. 4, 1985 to Elliott, Jr., indicates two pedal assemblies, for drum and cymbals, mounted together or usable separately. The drum pedal assembly has an inherent escapement mechanism. A drum beater is suspended from a shaft, which is rotated by downward movement of the foot pedal. After rotation to strike a drum, the drum beater returns to its rest position under the action of gravity once the downward force on the pedal is removed. The assembly is designed such that the drum beater counter-balances the foot pedal, decreasing the need for a spring typically employed to provide the escapement or return force. However, for faster return action, a secondary escapement force may be provided by an elastic band suspended between frame posts, which support the shaft. As the drum beater is rotated into the strike position, the elastic band is stretched into a bowed configuration. 
         [0011]    Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,166,312, issued Dec. 26, 2000 to Brewster, puts forth a pedal operated drum beater device, which comprises a pedal and a drum beater mounted on shaft. The pedal is coupled to shaft by such that depressing the pedal causes the shaft to rotate, advancing the drum beater from a rest position to an operative position. The downward movement of the pedal is opposed by the resilience of elastomeric strip, which stretches and bends as the drum beater moves into the operative position. The device is attached to a drum by drum clamp, formed in two parts, which consist of a drum-mounted rim clamp and a device-mounted, clamp holder. The rim clamp and clamp holder are releasably interlockable through pivotal engagement. 
         [0012]    Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 3,797,356, issued Mar. 19, 1974 to Duffy, illustrates a linkage for a foot-operated bass drum pedal in which the conventional leather strip interconnecting the toe end of the pedal and a tranversely mounted shaft carrying means for securing the pivoting end of the drumstick is replaced by a sprocket chain engaging a sprocket on said shaft. Coarse adjustment of the length of the stroke is obtained by shifting the mounting means on the shaft. Fine adjustment is obtained by shifting the end point of the chain with respect to the particular teeth engaged on the sprocket. The last link of the sprocket end of the chain is secured by pintel or cotter keys extended through one of a plurality of transversely extending holes located at the periphery of the socket adjacent the inner end of the teeth thereof. There is also provided a vertically disposed coil spring, the lower end of which has a threaded tensioning means. The contraction of the spring serves to return the pedal to a position of readiness for subsequent operation. 
         [0013]    Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,417, issued Oct. 23, 1990 to Massie, provides a control mechanism adapted for actuation by a human, in the exemplary embodiment by a person&#39;s foot. The invention provides for control or actuation of a plurality of devices to be controlled. A plurality of control elements, preferably arranged arcuately with respect to an actuating member is provided with a structure for accurately indexing the actuating member to a particular control element by way of one mode of movement and for actuating an individual indexed control element of a second mode of movement. Particular structure is provided, by way of a foot pedal, in the exemplary embodiment, with particular adjustments so as to adapt the actuating member, that is, the foot pedal, to various sizes and positions of an operator&#39;s foot, as well as amplitude of actuating movement. 
         [0014]    Prior art U.S. Patent Application No. 20030148853, published Aug. 7, 2003 by Alessandri, describes an apparatus for physical exercise with magnetic interaction between its parts. The physical exercise apparatus for recreational, rehabilitative, gymnastic or sports purposes comprises at least one mobile part and at least one support part, interacting by means of field forces generated by magnetic fields inserted between relative parts of which the apparatus is made. What is needed is a percussion instrument pedal with a pair of opposing magnets using magnetically opposing force fields to lift the pedal silently and smoothly after depression of the pedal by the foot of the musician. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, an object of the present invention is to provide a percussion instrument pedal with a pair of opposing high powered magnets one the pedal and one the base using magnetically opposing force fields to lift the pedal silently and smoothly after depression of the pedal by the foot of the musician for a return mechanism which operates more smoothly and silently than mechanical means and also will not wear out from use. 
         [0016]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a first magnet on the bottom of the foot pedal and a second magnet oriented in polar opposition to the first magnet on a base directly below the first magnet with the base angled upwardly away from the heel of the pedal so that the two magnets are almost in contact at the low point of the depression of the pedal for maximum repulsion between the magnets to cause the pedal to respond instantly in returning to the upright position. 
         [0017]    One more object of the present invention is to provide a series of stacked magnets of varying intensity aligned between the bottom of the foot pedal and the base with opposing force fields to create a gradual smooth upward force on the pedal after depression of the pedal by the foot of the musician. 
         [0018]    A further object of the present invention is to provide adjustable height magnets in the base to vary the proximity between the base magnets and the pedal magnets and therefore vary the repulsive force between the base magnets and the pedal magnets to change the play of the pedal in terms of resistance in pressing the pedal down and speed of return of the pedal. 
         [0019]    A related object of the present invention is to provide slidably adjustable magnets on the base to change the alignment of the base magnets with the pedal magnets and thereby vary the repulsive force between the base magnets and the pedal magnets to change the play of the pedal in terms of resistance in pressing the pedal down and speed of return of the pedal. 
         [0020]    In brief, a pair of powerful magnets with a high gauss rating are attached, one on the bottom of the percussion instrument foot pedal and one on the base directly below the foot pedal, the pair of magnets aligned with opposing force fields creating a repulsion between the pair of magnets to force the foot pedal upward after depression by the musician. 
         [0021]    An angled magnet mounting platform can be attached to the base below the pedal with the platform angled upwardly away from the heel of the pedal so that the two magnets are almost in contact at the low point of the depression of the pedal for maximum repulsion between the magnets to cause the pedal to respond instantly in returning to the upright position. 
         [0022]    In addition, various sizes of stacked magnets may also be mounted in alignment between the bottom of the foot pedal and the base with opposing force fields to create a more gradual smooth upward force on the pedal after depression of the pedal by the foot of the musician. 
         [0023]    The repulsive force between the magnets on the bottom of the pedal and the magnets on the base may be varied by adjusting the distance between to two sets of magnets by having a height adjustable base or by offsetting the magnets by having the magnets in the base slidable to align or offset the base magnets with the pedal magnets as desired. 
         [0024]    An additional advantage of the present invention is that is also contains a pair of side plate assemblies that contain magnets that are aligned for magnetic repulsion for aiding cam movement in the horizontal and vertical direction. 
         [0025]    An advantage of the present invention is that it operates smoothly. 
         [0026]    A further advantage of the present invention is that the repulsive forces between magnets may be adjusted as desired to change the return speed of the pedal and the resistance in pressing the pedal down. 
         [0027]    Another advantage of the present invention is that it operates quietly. 
         [0028]    An additional advantage of the present invention is that it may be added to existing drum kits. 
         [0029]    One more advantage of the present invention is that it is easy to install. 
         [0030]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it is inexpensive. 
         [0031]    Still another advantage of the present invention is that it will not wear out from use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0032]    The present invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote like method steps and/or system components, respectively, and in which: 
           [0033]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the magnetic return pedal; 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the magnetic return pedal; 
           [0035]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of the magnetic return pedal; 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  is a is a side view of the magnetic return pedal; 
           [0037]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the magnetic return pedal; 
           [0038]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the cam and side plate assembly; 
           [0039]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the left side of the rotor hub side plate assembly and cam; 
           [0040]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the side plate assembly; 
           [0041]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the cam and side plate assembly; and 
           [0042]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the side plate assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0043]    In  FIGS. 1-4 , a magnetic return device  20  for a foot pedal mechanism  30  on a musical percussion instrument, such as a bass drum or a “hi hat” cymbal stand comprises at least one pair of high powered magnets  21 A and  21 B aligned for magnetic repulsion between a pedal  31  mounted to a base  34  by a hinge  35  and an elevated inclined mounting platform  24  on the base  34  for a smooth magnetic force return of the pedal after depressing and releasing the pedal  31 . A pair of support columns extend perpendicularly from the base  34 . The pedal  31  has a first end and a second end, whereby the hinge  35  engages the first end of the base  34  to the pedal  31 . The second end of the pedal  31  is engaged to a rigid actuator arm  32  that is pivotally engaged to the pedal  31  by a pivot  33 . 
         [0044]    The device  20  comprises at least one pair of magnets including a first magnet  21 A having a high gauss rating, which is adapted to be attached to a bottom of a foot pedal  31  by a bracket  28 A or track and a second magnet  21 B having a high gauss rating, which is adapted to be attached by a bracket  28 B or track to an elevated inclined mounting platform  24  below the foot pedal  31 . The second magnet  21 B is aligned with the first magnet  21 A with a maximum of mutually exposed magnetic surfaces so that the magnetic fields  22 A and  22 B are in polar repulsion between the magnets  21 A and  21 B so that after depression and release of the foot pedal  31  by a musician&#39;s foot, the foot pedal  31  is forced upwardly by the polar repulsion of the magnetic fields and of the magnets  21 A and  21 B. 
         [0045]    The device  20  may further comprise additional pairs of magnets of lesser gauss rating than the first pair of magnets  21 A and  21 B, the pairs similarly mounted by stacking onto the high gauss magnets on the pedal  31  and inclined plane  24  on the base  34  for increased mutual magnetic repulsion with a more gradual transition due to the lower gauss magnets to assist in uplifting the pedal after repression of the pedal and smooth out the transition from downward to upward motion of the pedal  31 . 
         [0046]    The inclined magnet mounting platform  24 , shown in  FIG. 1 , is adapted to be attached by recessed screws and washers or an adhesive to the base  34  below the pedal  31  of a musical percussion instrument with the platform  24  angled upwardly away from the hinge  35  so that the first and the second magnets  21 A- 21 B are almost in contact at a low point of a depression of the pedal  31  for maximum repulsion between the magnetic fields of the magnets to cause the pedal  31  to respond instantly in returning to an upright position. 
         [0047]    The magnet mounting platform  24 , brackets  28 A or track, and side plate assembly are preferably formed of a non-magnetic rigid material, such as aluminum or injection molded plastic so they do not interfere with the magnetic repulsion forces. 
         [0048]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 5-8 , the top portion of each column  21  contains a bore  36  for receiving an axle  74  that is rotationally secured within the bores  36  of the column  21 . A cam  76  is centrally located on the axle  74  and engaged to the rigid actuator arm  32 . Disposed between the axle  74  and the cam  76  and along the axle  74  is a side plate assembly  78 . As illustrated, the side plate assembly  78  has a top portion  86  and a bottom portion  88 , wherein the top portion  86  and the bottom portion  88  are arcuate shaped. However, the side plate assembly  78  may be any shape, including, but not limited to, generally square, rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, etc. As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the top portion  86  is engaged to the side of the cam  76  and moves in conjunction with the cam  76 . The bottom portion  88  of the side plate assembly  78  may be engaged to the column  21  or similar structure. The top portion  86  rotationally moves above the bottom portion  88  along with the rotational movement of the cam  76 . In other words, the bottom portion  88  is stationary and the top portion  86  rotates forwards and backwards in conjunction with the cam  76 . 
         [0049]    The side plate assembly  78  also contains magnets  82  on at least one outer edge. The magnets  82  are contained within a bore formed on the outer edge of the side plate assembly  78 . A magnet  82  is positioned on the edge of the top portion  86  of the side plate assembly  78  and a magnet is positioned on the edge of the bottom portion  88  of the side plate assembly  78 , shown in  FIGS. 7 and 9 . 
         [0050]    The top portion  86  of the side plate assembly  78  has a top side, a bottom side, a left side, a right side, a front side, and a back side. The top side and bottom side are curved, wherein the bottom side is adjacent the axle  74 . The left side, right side, front side, and back side are generally straight surfaces. The magnet  82  is positioned within the front side of the top portion  86  of the side plate assembly  78 . 
         [0051]    The bottom portion  88  of the side plate assembly  78  has a top side, a bottom side, a left side, a right side, a front side, and a back side. The top side is curved and is opposite the axle  74 , while the bottom side, left side, right side, front side, and back side are relatively straight surfaces. The magnet  82  is positioned within the front side of the bottom portion  88  of the side plate assembly  78 . During use, the front side of the top portion  86  rotates towards the front side of the bottom portion  88  when the user pushes the pedal  31  with their foot. The top portion  86  is forcefully rotated away from the front side of the bottom portion  88 , and the back side of the top portion  86  rotates towards the back side of the bottom portion  88 . The bottom portion  88  contains a cylindrical bore  80  that extends outwardly from the back side of the bottom portion  88 . The bottom portion  88  is rotationally engaged to the axle  74  through the cylindrical bore  80 . 
         [0052]    The magnets  82  have the same polar ends , meaning N-N or S-S, thereby repelling the magnets from each other and forcing the top portion  86  to rotate away from the bottom portion  88 . Preferably, the side plate assembly  78  has a single magnet on the front side of the top portion  86  and the front side of the bottom portion  88 . The front side of the top portion  86  and front side of the bottom portion  88  are in close proximity and face each other. In an alternative embodiment, the top portion  86  may have magnets on its front side and back side, and the bottom portion  88  may have magnets on its front side and back side. This arrangement allows the repulsion forces to assist the rotation of the cam in the clock-wise direction and the counter-clockwise direction. 
         [0053]    In practice, the user depresses a musical instrument foot pedal  31  to pull down a rigid actuator arm  32  attached by a pivot  33  to the pedal  31  which causes the beater  60  to hit the drum. At the low point of the depression of the foot pedal  31  the pairs of magnets  21 A and  21 B come in close proximity, thereby creating opposing magnetic fields having magnetic repulsion therebetween, which return the pedal  31  upward to its original position after having been depressed. The magnets  82  prefereable have high gauss ratings. Additionally, the magnets  82  on the side plate assembly  78  come in close proximity and the repulsive properties of the magnets aid in returning the cam  76  to the original position. Once the user removes his foot  40  from the foot pedal  31 , the magnets  82  contained on the opposite side of the top portion and bottom portion force the cam  76  to rotate in the other direction being forced by the repulsive forces of the magnets  82 . 
         [0054]    The bottom portion  88  of the side plate assembly  78  contains a plurality of spaced apart adjustment holes  90  disposed along the outer edge of the side plate assembly  78 . The holes  90  are aligned with a corresponding hollow on the adjacent column  21 . A screw or bolt is inserted into a hole  90  and the corresponding hollow for retaining the bottom portion  88  of the side plate assembly  78  to the column  21 . The bottom portion  88  is adjustable either clockwise or counterclockwise along the axle  74 . The bottom portion  88  is moved to its desired position and a screw is positioned within the appropriate hole  90  that is aligned with the hollow of the column  21 . 
         [0055]    It is understood that the preceding description is given merely by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention and that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed. 
         [0056]    Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention and are intended to be covered by the following claims.