Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus for striking a percussion instrument with one or more percussion beaters utilizing a swing motion of the user&#39;s foot, and more particularly, to an apparatus for striking the head of a bass drum or other percussion instrument multiple times with one or more percussion beaters upon a single swing cycle by the user utilizing a single foot.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In a typical pedal design beater, a base plate is attached at one end to a percussion instrument, typically a bass drum, and a footboard is hinged to the base plate at or near the opposite end. The footboard rotates about the hinge and is constrained by springs or other means to rest in a position approximately 30 to 45 degrees above the base. The footboard is attached to a beater such that when the user presses down on the footboard, the beater strikes the drumhead once. The footboard must return essentially to its resting position in order for the user to strike the drumhead again. 
     This mechanism provides a steady, controllable, sensitive means of playing percussion instruments. However, playing speed is limited to the speed that the user can press the pedal since only one beat can be produced for each depression of the pedal. No beats are produced when the musician lifts his foot from the pedal. Thus for each up and down movement of the musician&#39;s foot, only one drum beat can be produced. This has the effect of limiting the role of the foot to that of a timekeeper, playing only the tempo of the music. In some more sophisticated configurations, the pedal beater may play offbeat patterns combined with the hands, but will still be unable to execute more than three or four quick strokes at a time. While it is true that a select few players demonstrate considerable speed for several measures using conventional pedal beaters, such players are only able to play a string of even notes in such manner, and never complicated patterns like those played by the hands. A musician may attempt to overcome this limitation by utilizing two foot pedals simultaneously to increase playing speed and obtain more complex beat patterns. However, the musician then sacrifices the use of the cymbal assembly, commonly known in the field as the hi-hat, and such rapid foot motions are both difficult and very tiring. 
     Several attempts have been made to invent double beater drum pedals. However, all prior attempts have a number of disadvantages which have limited their commercial applications. It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a double beater drum pedal which overcomes these disadvantages. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,484,302 to Lavernts discloses a double beater pedal mechanism in which the foot pedal hinge is placed in a very awkward position compared to pedals in common usage. Additionally, the beater striking positions are in musically undesirable positions because one beater strikes close to the rim, while the other strikes close to the middle of the head, thus producing drastically different timbres and amplitudes. 
     The pedal assembly shown as U.S Pat. No. 3,988,957 to Escanilla also places the musician&#39;s foot in an awkward position. Playing fast heel/toe motions requires either suspending the entire leg to obtain the proper position or relaxing the leg thus causing one beater to rest on the head while the other beater is striking, causing a buzz or muting effect. Also, the pivot point in Escanilla is below the foot, causing the whole lower leg to move. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,188,853 to Bills shows another double beater mechanism with strong disadvantages. The fulcrum is placed below the heel, increasing lower leg movement. While the downward toe stroke is made with a downward motion, the up stroke must be performed with an upward motion of the toe, an action not empowered with strength, control or routine muscular movement. The toe clip also creates a lack of foot position mobility. 
     The double beater mechanism in U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,842 to Aluisi offers an unmanageable action created by the horizontal pivot which adds much weight to the beater adversely affecting its sensitivity. Much of the striking energy is deflected in rotation, rather than in increased amplitude. Control of the timing accuracy is also sacrificed because of the “flop” rotation of the second beater. 
     Finally, in U.S. Pat No. 4,782,733 to Herring, the double beater drum mechanism results in poor timing control of the secondary beater because it is spring activated. This same spring activation results in poor amplitude control of the secondary beater. Additionally, maximum speed would be determined by the spring tension activating the secondary beater, rather than the action of the player. 
     Many of these disadvantages are readily evident to a person knowledgeable in the art of drumming and explains why none of these ideas are implemented in the current commercial market. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention resides in a foot pedal device with at least two beaters and a footboard attached to the beaters that swings freely above the base of the device. Upon a single back and forth swing cycle of the footboard, both beaters strike a desired percussion instrument at intervals generally reciprocal to one another. Specifically, one beat is produced when the footboard is swung forward, and another drum beat is produced when the footboard is swung backward. This allows the musician to accomplish two percussion beats with a single foot swing cycle, while freeing the musician&#39;s other foot to play another percussion instrument such as a hi-hat. This is in contrast to the typical drum pedal design where a foot stroke of one downward and one upward movement of the foot only produces a single beat. The musician can thereby play at twice the speed of a conventional foot pedal beater. 
     More particularly, the swing motion allows greater control over, and sensitivity to, the timbre, amplitude and tempo of the beats, and enables the musician to perform complex rhythms and beat patterns. The reciprocally striking beaters and the footboard swing motion combine to form a unique pedal operation which is more ergonomic and less fatiguing than a conventional hinged footboard beater system. The present invention therefore allows the musician to perform more sustained and demanding percussion parts, including novel percussion playing concepts such as layered percussion patterns, polyrhythms, “third hand” patterns, and orchestration for two instruments on one foot pedal. 
     The present invention is readily adaptable to numerous percussion instruments, such as a base drum, two or more cow bells, wood blocks, and bongos. 
     Additional features of the present invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings, wherein like numerals and letters refer to like parts wherever they occur, 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the preferred embodiment showing the foot plate in the rearward rocking position and the right beater striking the drum head; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the preferred embodiment showing the foot plate in the forward rocking position and the left beater striking the drum head; and 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment showing the footplate in the rearward rocking position and the right beater in the forward position. 
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     While one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the above referenced drawings and in the following description, it is understood that the embodiment shown is merely for purpose of illustration and that various changes in construction may be resorted to in the course of manufacture in order that the invention may be utilized to the best advantage according to circumstances which may arise, without in any way departing from the spirit and intention of the invention, which is to be limited only in accordance with the claims contained herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the preferred embodiment, a swing action double beater percussion device S is mounted on a flat base plate  10  and attached to a percussion instrument such as a bass drum D (shown in broken lines in FIG. 2) by connecting the flat base plate  10  to the drum D with a tension fastener  12 , such as the spring-loaded wing-nut and lever assembly shown, located at one end of the base plate  10 . The base plate  10  is rectangular, with its short ends nearest to, and furthest from, the bass drum D. The fastener  12  is located adjacent to the end of the base plate  10  nearest to the drum D. 
     A U-shaped bracket  14 , formed from heavy strap metal has upstanding legs  15 , 15   a  and is removably mounted by machine screws  15   c  through its base  15   b  to the rear of the base plate  10 . Another, U-bracket  16 , also formed from heavy strap metal and having upstanding legs  17 , 17   a  also is removably mounted by machine screws  17   c  through its base  17   b  to the base plate  10  near the drum D, but behind the fastener  12 . The bases of both U-brackets  14  and  16  lie parallel to the short ends of the base plate  10 , and the legs of both U-brackets  14  and  16  extend vertically from the base plate  10 . When the screws  15   c ,  17   c , and  22   a  are removed, the device S can be broken down into a book size package for transport which is important to a musician who often must travel to different venues with his instrument. 
     A U-bracket or cradle  18 , also formed from heavy strap metal and having legs  19 ,  19   a  and a connecting base  19   b , is pivotally attached at the top of its arms  19 ,  19   a  to the top or free ends of the U-bracket legs  15 ,  15   a  by bolt assemblies  20 , such that the cradle  18  may swing freely the between U-bracket legs  15 ,  15   a  about the bolt assemblies  20 . The bracket base  19   b  is flat and the distance between the arms  19 ,  19   a  readily accommodates an overlarge booted human foot. 
     A footboard  22 , having a generally flat upper surface  23 , is rigidly attached by the screws  22   a  atop the base  19   b  of the U-bracket  18 , such that the upper surface  23  is parallel to the upper surface of the U-bracket base  19   b . Approximately two-thirds of the length of the footboard  22  is positioned forward of U-bracket  18 , and the forward edge or toe of the footboard  22  faces toward the drum D. 
     Left and right thrust arms or push rods  24  and  25  (FIGS.  1 , 4 ) are pivotally attached by two bolt assemblies  26  to the lower portions of the left and right legs  19 ,  19   a , respectively, of the U-bracket  18 . The left thrust arm  24  extends toward the left leg  17  of U-bracket  16  above the base plate  10  and is pivotally attached by a bolt assembly  28  to the end of a first arm  31   a  of a cam or shaped lever  30 . The cam  30  has two equal length arms  31 ,  31   a  positioned at 90° to each other. The cam  30  is pivotally mounted at its center by a bolt assembly  32  to the inner surface of the left leg  17  of the U-bracket  16 , below the thrust arm  24 . The end of the second cam arm  31  is pivotally attached by a bolt assembly  34  to a connecting rod or push rod  36  that is positioned in a generally vertical direction and is threaded into a socket  33  (FIG. 2) and secured there by a lock washer and jam nut  33   a . The socket  33  is pivotally attached by a bolt assembly  38  to one end of a flat cam or connecting arm  40 . By changing the extent to which the push rod  36  is screwed into the socket  33 , the distance between the cam arm  31  and the end of the connecting arm  40  can be adjusted. As will be explained in detail hereinafter, this effectively changes the length of the push rod  36  and thus changes the speed and strength of the drum beat. It also allows adjustment of the device to suit the feel and style of the drummer. 
     The opposite end of the connecting arm  40  is fixedly attached to a first sleeve  44  that encases and freely rotates about a shaft  46 . The shaft  46  spans horizontally between the free ends of the bracket legs  17 ,  17   a , and is fixedly attached to the legs  17 ,  17   a  by bolts  42 . The sleeve  44  abuts the inner face of the left leg  17  of U-bracket  16  and extends to the midpoint of the shaft  46 . Each of the axes of rotation about bolt assemblies  20 ,  26 ,  28 ,  32 ,  34 , and  38 , and through the center of the sleeve  44  and the shaft  46 , are horizontal and parallel to the center of the bases  15   b ,  17   b  and  19   b  of the U-brackets  14 ,  16  and  18 , respectively. 
     A first beater holder  48  is fixedly attached at one end along its outer surface to the outer surface of the sleeve  44 . The holder  48  is positioned near the midsection of, and is perpendicular to the sleeve  44 . A stem  52  of a first beater B 1  fits inside the holder  48 , with a head  54  of the beater B 1  above the holder  48 . A wing-nut setscrew fastener assembly  56 , mounted at the end of the holder  48  furthest from the sleeve  44 , can be tightened on the stem  52  to hold the beater B 1  securely in place. The height of the head  54  of the beater B 1  above the holder  48  can thereby be readily adjusted by sliding the stem  52  up or down within the sleeve  48  to the desired location and then tightening the set screw assembly  56 . 
     The right thrust arm  25  extends toward the right leg  17   a  of U-bracket  16  above the base plate  10  and is pivotally attached by a bolt assembly  58  to the end of a first arm  61   a  of a cam or shaped lever  60  (FIG.  1 ). The cam  60  is identical to the cam  30  and has two equal length arms  61 , 61   a  positioned at 90° to each other. The center of the cam  60  is pivotally mounted by a bolt assembly  62  to the inner surface of the right leg  17   a  of the U-bracket  16 , above the thrust arm  25 . The end of the second cam arm  61  is pivotally attached by a bolt assembly  64  to a short push rod  66  that runs in a generally vertical direction and is threaded into a socket  67  and retained there by a lock washer and jam nut  67   a . The socket  67  is pivotally attached by a bolt assembly  68  to one end of a flat cam or connecting arm  70 . By changing the extent to which the push rod  66  is screwed into the bolt assembly  68 , the distance between the cam arm  61   a  and the end of the cam  70  can be adjusted. As will be explained in detail hereinafter, this effectively changes the length of the push rod  66  and thus changes the speed and strength of the drum beat. It also allows adjustment of the device to suit the feel and style of the drummer. 
     The connecting arm  70  is fixedly attached to a second sleeve  74  that encases and freely rotates about the shaft  46 . The sleeve  74  abuts the inner face of the right leg  17   a  of the U-bracket  16  and extends to the midpoint of the shaft  46 , where it abuts the first sleeve  44 . Each of the axes of rotation about the bolt assemblies  58 ,  62 ,  64 , and  68 , and through the center of the sleeve  74 , are horizontal and parallel to the center of the bases  15   b ,  17   b  and  19   b  of the U-brackets  14 ,  16  and  18 , respectively. 
     A second beater holder or retainer  78  fixedly attaches at one end along its outer surface to the outer surface of the sleeve  74 . The holder  78  is positioned near the midsection of, and runs perpendicular to the sleeve  74 . A beater B 2  has a stem  82  that fits inside the holder  78 , with a head  84  of the beater B 2  above the holder  78 . A wing-nut set-screw assembly  86  is mounted at the end of the holder  78  furthest from the sleeve  74 , and can be tightened on the stem  82  to hold the beater B 2  securely in place. The height of the beater head  84  above the holder  78  can thereby be readily adjusted by sliding the stem  82  up or down the holder  78  to the desired location and then tightening the set screw assembly  86 . 
     The beater holders  48 ,  78  are tangentially mounted on the sleeves  44 ,  74  at 90° thereto. The holders  48 ,  78  are a sufficient distance from each other to provide ample clearance for the beaters B 1 , B 2  to swing without interference. The place the beaters B 1 , B 2  strike the drum D is determined, in part, by the length of the beater stems  52 ,  82  above the holders  48 ,  78 . 
     The connecting arms  40 ,  70  extend out from the centerline of the axle or shaft  46  at a 90° angle in relation to the direction of rotation. The arms  40 ,  70  extend away from the drum D toward the footboard  22 . The orientation of the arms  40 ,  70  is such that when one of the arms  40 ,  70  is horizontal or parallel to the base plate  10 , the respective beater holder  48  or  78  is oriented in a vertical position. Therefore, the respective beaters B 1 , B 2  also are oriented in a vertical position. The alignment is such that the outsides of the arms  40 ,  70  are aligned perpendicular with the side arms  19 ,  19   a  of the cradle  18 . 
     In order to convert the reciprocal heel/toe motion of the user&#39;s foot onto the angular motion required to move the beaters B 1 , B 2  into and out of engagement with the drum D, the orientation of the levers  30 ,  60  and the length of the push rods  36 ,  66  are important. As previously noted, the lever  30  has the arms  31 , 31   a  located at 90° to each other and the lever  60  has the arms  61 ,  61   a  located at 90° to each other. The levers  30 ,  60  are pivotally connected to the uprights  17 ,  17   a  at their midpoints  32 ,  62 . However, the right lever pivot is oriented so that its vertical arm is below pivot point  62 , and left lever  30  is oriented so that its vertical arm  31   a  is above pivot point  32 . Hence, the levers  30 ,  60  are mounted so that the vertical arms  31   a ,  61   a  are directed at 180° to each other. The right push rod  66  is shorter than the left push rod  36 . Also, when the levers  30 ,  60  are positioned such that their horizontal arms  31 ,  61  are generally parallel to the base plate  10  and facing rearwardly, the upright vertical arms  31   a ,  61   a  are at right angles to the horizontal arms  31 ,  61 . The longer left connecting rod  36  pivotally connects the free end of the horizontal arm  31  to the connecting arm  40 , while the shorter right connecting rod  66  pivotally connects the free end of the horizontal arm  61  to the connecting arm  70 . 
     The left push rod  24  pivotally connects the free end of the vertical arm  31   a  to the foot pedal  22  while the right push rod  25  pivotally connects the free end of the oppositely directed vertical arm  61   a  to the foot pedal  22 . 
     OPERATION 
     The present invention operates by converting the swinging action of the footboard into an action which causes the two or more beaters to consecutively strike a percussion instrument. A user places his foot upon the footboard and swings the footboard toward the percussion instrument and then away from the percussion instrument to create one swing cycle. In the current double beater embodiment shown herein, one beater strikes the percussion instrument when the user&#39;s foot swings the footboard forward, and the other beater strikes the percussion instrument when the user&#39;s foot swings the footboard away from the percussion instrument. 
     More specifically, as can be seen from FIG. 2, when the toe of the user drops, the footboard  22  and the U-bracket  18  swing back from the drum D. The left thrust arm  24  rotates the cam  30  clockwise, as to FIG. 2, around the bolt assembly  32 . The cam  30 , in turn, pulls down on the push rod  36  and the rod  36  rotates the connecting arm  40  in a clockwise direction. The connecting arm  40  then rotates the sleeve  44  clockwise about the shaft  46 , and thereby directs the beater holder  48  and the beater B 1  away from the drum D. 
     In contrast, in FIG. 3 it can be seen that as the toe of the user rises and the heel drops, the footboard  22  and the U-bracket  18  swing toward the drum D. The thrust arm  24  then rotates the cam  30  counterclockwise, as to FIG. 3, around the bolt assembly  32 . The movement of the cam  30 , in turn, raises, the push rod  36  and rotates the connecting arm  40  in a counterclockwise direction. The arm  40  then rotates the sleeve  44  counterclockwise about the shaft  46 , and thereby directs the holder  48  and the beater B 1  toward and against the drum D to produce a drum beat. 
     Similarly, as footboard  22  and U-bracket  18  swing back from the drum D (FIG.  2 ), the right thrust arm  25  rotates the cam  60  counterclockwise around the bolt assembly  62 . The cam  60 , in turn, pushes up on the push rod  66  which rotates the connecting arm  70  counterclockwise. The arm  70 , in turn, rotates the sleeve  74  counterclockwise about the shaft  46 , and thereby directs the beater holder  78  and the beater B 2  toward and against drum D to produce a drum beat. 
     In contrast, in FIG. 3 it can be seen that as the footboard  22  and U-bracket  18  swing toward the drum D, the thrust arm  25  rotates the cam  60  clockwise, as to FIG. 3, around the bolt assembly  62 . The cam  60 , in turn, pulls the rod  66  downwardly to rotate the arm  70  in a clockwise direction. The arm  70  rotates the sleeve  74  clockwise about the shaft  46 , and thereby directs the holder  78  and beater B 2  away from the drum D. 
     Both of the beaters B 1  and B 2  operate upon the same swinging motion of the footboard  22  and U-bracket  18 . Hence, when the footboard  22  swings away from the drum D, the beater B 1  moves away from the drum D, while the beater B 2  moves toward, and may ultimately strike, the drum D. When the footboard  22  swings toward the drum D, the beater B 1  moves toward, and may ultimately strike, the drum D, while the beater B 2  moves away from the drum D. 
     The distance from the top  23  of the footboard  22  to the bolt assembly  20  equals the approximate distance from the bottom of the foot to the shin for an average person. This replicates the natural rotation of an average person&#39;s ankle and thereby provides ergonomic functionality while minimizing fatigue. 
     The present invention, therefore, enables the user to easily, controllably, and rapidly beat a percussion instrument with two beaters by merely moving the toe and heel of the user alternatively downwardly on the footboard  22 , thus swinging the footboard  22  forward and backward with a foot. Not only is the foot swing action ergonomic, it provides the user with great versatility in playing percussion instruments. For example, the user can control the tempo of the drumbeat by simply maintaining a constant swing duration between each beat. By varying the swing speed between each beat, the user can control the volume of each beat. Furthermore, by varying the duration of swing speed between each beat, either by timing the foot motion or by adjustment of the lengths of the push rods  36  and  66 , the user can implement a multitude of differing beat patterns. This invention causes the beaters B 1 , B 2  to move in alternate and contrary motion, relative to each other, with each toe/heel angle of the foot. 
     The purpose of the push rod  36 ,  66  adjustments is twofold. The first purpose is to provide a variable stroke length for the beaters B 1 , B 2  (making the rod longer, makes the travel distance between the drumhead D and the front surface of the beater shorter, and the stroke slightly faster). However, making the rod shorter will increase the travel distance between the drumhead D and the front surface of the beater B 1 , B 2 . This makes the stroke slightly slower, but potentially stronger. 
     Another factor of this arrangement is that the adjustment of one rod (calibrating the leverage of one whole side), effects the front/back position of the other side. The position of the backward stopping point is determined by the position of the other beater touching the drumhead. It is possible to adjust each side so that the toe side has a different length stroke than the heel side. This is needed to make the pedal suitable to various playing styles and levels of development. 
     The second purpose of these adjustments is to adjust the angle of the footboard  22 . Shortening the rod  36  will also have the effect of raising the toe portion of the footboard  22  at the time that the beater B 1  strikes the head D. Shortening the rod  66  has the effect of raising the heel portion of the footboard  22  at the time that beater B 2  strikes the head D. 
     Also, lowering the stem  52  of the beater B 1  with the wing nut  56  shortens the stroke length, and of course, raising the shaft  52  of the beater B 1  with the wing nut  56  increases the stroke length. Naturally, the same thing applies to the beater B 2 . 
     The design of this pedal obtains its speed and smoothness because of the reciprocal motion of the beaters B 1 , B 2 . Refinement of this relationship to fit the player&#39;s style has a major effect on the “feel” of the pedal  22 . They are both necessary to balance the angle of the footboard  22  and at the same time calibrate the stroke length. Each drummer will have an individual preference, and it will change with technique and performance requirement. In operation, the swing action of the pedal  22  and cradle  18  causes a convex arch with respect to the pivot above the bottom of the foot, thus allowing the toe/heel alternate action required to activate the strokes, but with an effort slightly greater than that required to move the user&#39;s foot in the air with his legs crossed. Traditional pedals are designed to cause a concave arch with respect to a pivot below the bottom of the foot, or at the back of the foot, that causes the ankle of the musician itself to rotate around the pivot below the bottom of the foot, like rolling your foot over a round log or baseball bat. This small difference in the type of motion is significant. 
     Variations on the basic apparatus are available. For example, U-brackets  14 ,  16  and  18  can be formed by machining, forging, casting or any of a variety of other means, or can be made of materials other than steel, and their shape can vary to include additional structural members, or be formed as webbing for lighter weight. The bolt assemblies  26 ,  28 ,  32 ,  34 ,  38 ,  58 ,  62 ,  64 , and  68  can be replaced with various assemblies that include pivot pins, bearings, bushings, or any other means that provide ready rotation. Bushings, bearings and/or washers can be placed between, in or under, any or all of the rotating members. The cams  30 ,  40 ,  60  and  70 , and the rods  36  and  66 , may assume a variety of shapes so long as they each properly perform the functions described in this application. 
     While the embodiment shown herein utilizes cams and rods to translate the swinging movement of the footboard into the movement of the beaters against a percussion instrument, it is understood that alternative embodiments of the present invention are also capable of such translation of movement. Such alternative embodiments would include, without limitation, replacement of the cams and rods of the current embodiment with various arrangements of springs, gears, pulleys, cables, or electromechanical devices such as servos or stepper motors. Additionally, while the current embodiment discloses the use of metals for many of the components of the invention, is it clear that the use of alternate materials such as high strength plastic, wood, or any other similar material could also be used. Numerous other apparatuses, such as screws, clamps, levers, braces, ropes and wires, in addition to the fastener  12 , can hold the swing double beater S to a desired instrument to be played. The invention can also be readily configured to play only one beater, or more than two. Other devices, such as clamps, peg and holes, springs, and pressure plates can perform the same function in the invention as the set screw assemblies  56  and  86 . 
     Although two beaters are described in the embodiment of the invention described herein, the invention may be readily adapted to activate more than two beaters. By simply adding more beaters to the device and adapting the mechanism which translates the swinging of the footboard into movement of the beaters, three or more beaters can be forced to strike a percussion instrument at various points of the swinging motion of the footboard. 
     As various other changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.