Abstract:
A high hat stand keeps high hat cymbals straight on a floor, and crashes the top cymbal against the bottom cymbal in response to player&#39;s fooling, wherein a toggle joint is connected between an extension rod connected to the top cymbal, a foot board depressed by the player and a stationary frame so as to achieve a large magnification ratio between the force exerted on the foot board and the force exerted on the extension rod, thereby improving the response to the player&#39;s footing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a stand for a musical instrument and, more particularly, to a high hat stand for keeping high hat cymbals over drums. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
   The high hat cymbals are a member of the drum set, and a drummer produces brilliant clashing sound through different styles of rendition. The upper movable cymbal and the lower stationary cymbal are called as “top” and “bottom”respectively. While any external force is not exerted on a foot pedal forming a part of the high hat stand, the high hat stand keeps the high hat cymbals closed. However, when the drummer steps on a foot pedal, the high hat stand upwardly spaces the top cymbal from the bottom cymbal. The drummer removes the external force from the foot pedal. Then, the top cymbal is crashed against the bottom cymbal, and the high hat cymbals produce the sound. 
   A typical example of the high hat stand is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication of Unexamined Application No. 2-58099.  FIG. 1  illustrates the prior art high hat stand disclosed in the Japanese Patent Publication of Unexamined Application. The prior art high hat stand is broken down into a cymbal sustainer  1 , a set of legs  2  and a driver  3 . High hat cymbals  4 / 5  are sustained by the cymbal sustainer  1 , and the top cymbal  4  is movable with respect to the bottom cymbal  5 . The legs  2  are connected to the cymbal sustainer  1 , and keeps the cymbal sustainer  1  and, accordingly, the high hat cymbals  4 / 5  upright on a floor  6 . The driver  3  is connected through the cymbal sustainer  1  to the top cymbals  4 , and is responsive to the step of the drummer so as to space the top cymbal  4  from the bottom cymbal  5  and crash the top cymbal  4  against the bottom cymbal  5 . Thus, the drummer produces the clashing sound through the driver  3 . 
   The cymbal sustainer  1  includes a guide member  7  and an extension rod  8 . The guide member  7  is cylindrical, and is shorter than the extension rod  8 . The extension rod  7  is slidably inserted into the guide member  7 , and projects from both ends of the guide member  7 . The legs  2  are connected to the guide member  7 , and keep the guide member  7  upright. The bottom cymbal  5  is fixed to the guide member  7 , and, accordingly, is stationary with respect to the floor  6 . On the other hand, the top cymbal  4  is fixed to the extension rod  8 , and is movable together with the extension rod  8 . Thus, the guide member  7  and the extension rod  8  sustain the top cymbal  4  and the bottom cymbal  5  over the floor  6 . 
   The driver  3  includes a frame  10 , a linkage  11 , a coil spring  12  and a foot pedal  13 . The frame  10  is put on the floor  6 , and the movable rod  8  passes a hole formed in the frame  10 . The coil spring  12  is connected at the upper end thereof to the guide member  7  by means of a bracket  12   a  and at the lower end thereof to the extension rod  8  by means of a retainer ring  12   b . The coil spring  12  is expanded between the guide member  7  and the extension rod  8 , and upwardly urges the extension rod  8 . In other words, the coil spring  13  exerts initial force on the extension rod.  8  in the upward direction, and spaces the top cymbal  4  from the bottom cymbal S. While the extension rod  8  is being pulled downwardly, the coil spring  12  is further expanded, and, accordingly, increases the upward force exerted on the extension rod  8 . 
   The foot pedal  13  is broken down into three parts, i.e., a base block  13   a , a foot board  13   b  and a pin  13   c . The base block  13   a  is put on the floor  6 , and the foot board  13   b  is connected to the base block  13   a  by means of the pin  13   c . Thus, the foot board  13   b  is turnable with respect to the base block  13   a  around the pin  13   c . 
   The linkage  11  is connected between the extension rod  8 , the frame  10  and the foot pedal  13 . Three links  15 / 16 / 17  form in combination the linkage  11 . The link  15  is connected at one end thereof to the lower end of the extension rod  8  by means of a hinge  19 . The link  16  is connected at one end thereof to the frame  10  by means of a hinge  20  and at the other end thereof to the link  17  by means of a hinge  21 . The other end of the link  15  is connected to an intermediate point of the link  16  by means of a hinge  22 . The foot board  13   b  is rotatably connected to the other end of the link  17  by means of a hinge  23 . The foot board  13   b  converts the force exerted thereon to moment around the pin  13   c , and the moment is converted to force exerted on the other end of the link  16  by means of the link  17 . The force at the other end produces moment around the hinge  20 , and the link  15  converts the moment to force exerted on the lower end of the extension rod  8 . 
   When a drummer steps on the foot board  13   b , the foot board  13   b  is rotated around the pin  13   c  in the counter clockwise direction, and the link  17  gives rise to rotation of the link  16  around the hinge  20  in the clockwise direction. The link  16  serves as a lever, and makes the force downwardly exerted on the extension rod  8  larger than the force exerted on the hinge  21 . Thus, the linkage  11  assists the drummer in actuating the extension rod  8  and, accordingly, the top cymbal  4 . When the force downwardly exerted on the extension rod  8  exceeds the initial force, the extension rod  8  is downwardly pulled, and makes the top cymbal  4  to be crashed against the bottom cymbal  5 . Thus, the driver  3  gives rise to the downward motion of the extension rod  8  when the downward force exceeds the initial force. 
   A problem is encountered in the prior art high hat stand in the slow response. In detail, while the downward force is being smaller than the initial force, the coil spring  12  keeps the top cymbal  4  in the home position. Although the linkage  11  makes the force to be required on the foot board  13   b  smaller than the initial force, the prior art high hat stand requires the drummer to rapidly exert large force on the foot board  13   b . After exceeding the initial force, it is necessary for the drummer to continuously increase the force against the force generated by the coil spring  12  until the top cymbal  4  is crashed against the bottom cymbal  5 . Thus, there is a lag time between the footing and the rotation of the foot board  13   b . This results in the slow response to the footing. 
   Another problem inherent in the prior art high hat stand is the response varied with the state of the coil spring  12 . The expansion of the coil spring  12  is the origin of the initial force, and the initial force is proportional to the increase in length of the coil spring  12 . If a coil spring is expanded more than the coil spring  12 , the coil spring exerts the initial force larger than that of the coil spring  12  on the extension rod  8 . Even though the linkage  11  reduces the force to be required on the foot board  13   b , the force to be required is varied together with the state of the coil spring  12 . In other words, the response is variable between the products of the prior art high hat stand. When a drummer is to perform music on the high hat cymbals attached to a product of the prior art high hat stand different from the usual product, he is bothered with the different response. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide a high hat stand, which exhibits constant prompt response to player&#39;s action. 
   To accomplish the object, the present invention proposes to insert a toggle joint between a foot pedal and an extension rod. 
   In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a high hat stand for keeping high hat cymbals over a surface comprising a cymbal sustaining structure standing on the surface and including a stationary member connected to one of the high hat cymbals and a movable member connected to the other of the high hat cymbals and bidirectionally movable with respect to the stationary member for crashing the other of the high hat cymbals against the aforesaid one of the high hat cymbals, and a driver including a fool pedal moved with a first force exerted thereon by a player, an elastic member connected between the stationary member and the movable member for urging the movable member in a first direction, a frame stationary with respect to the stationary member and a toggle joint connected between the movable member, the frame and the foot pedal and responsive to the first force so as to move the movable member in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features and advantages of the high hat stand will be more clearly understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a front view showing the prior art high hat stand disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication of Unexamined Application No. 2-58099; 
       FIG. 2  is a front view showing a high hat stand according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view showing a toggle joint incorporated in the high hat stand on the way to a crash between high hat cymbals; 
       FIG. 4  is a front view showing the toggle joint in the high pat stand further advanced to the crash; 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram showing the motion of the toggle joint; and 
       FIG. 6  is a graph showing relation between the stroke of a foot board and force exerted on an extension rod. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to  FIG. 2  of the drawings, a high hat stand embodying the present invention keeps high hat cymbals  30 / 31  over a floor  32 . The high hat stand largely comprises a cymbal sustainer  33 , a set of legs  34  and a driver  35  as similar to the prior art high hat stand. The cymbal sustainer  33  and the set of legs  34  are similar to those of the prior art high hat stand. For this reason, parts of the cymbal sustainer  33  are labeled with the same references designating corresponding parts of the cymbal sustainer  1  without detailed description. The cymbal sustainer  33  and the set of legs  34  as a whole constitute a cymbal sustaining structure. 
   The driver  35  is broken down into a frame  36 , a toggle joint  37 , a coil spring  38  and a foot pedal  39 . The frame  36 , the coil spring  38  and the foot pedal  39  are respectively corresponding to the frame  10 , the coil spring  12  and the foot pedal  13 , and the linkage  11  is replaced with the toggle joint  37 . The coil spring  38  is connected at one end thereof to the bracket  12   a  and at the other end thereof to the retainer ring  12   b , and the bracket  12   a  and the retainer ring  12   b  is fixed to the guide member  7  and the extension rod  8 , respectively. The upper end of the bracket  12   a  is spaced from the retainer ring  12   b  by a distance, which is greater than the natural length of the coil spring  38 . For this reason, the coil spring  38  is expanded between the guide member  7  and the extension rod  8 , and upwardly exerts initial force on the extension rod  8 . While a player is remaining the foot pedal  39  free from force, the extension rod  8  upwardly projects due to the initial force, and spaces the top cymbal  30  from the bottom cymbal  31  as shown in FIG.  2 . The position where the extension rod  8  projects due to the initial force is hereinbelow referred to as “home position”. 
   The frame  36  is put on the floor  32 , and sustains the cymbal sustainer  33  and the high hat cymbals  30 / 31 . In this instance, a pair of side plates  36   a  and an upper plate  36   b  are assembled into the frame  36 . Although one of the side plates  36   a  is shown in  FIG. 2 , another side plate is provided on the opposite side to the side plate  36   a , and the upper plate  36   b  is bridged between those side plates  36   a . The side plates  36   a  and the upper plate  36  define an inner space for the toggle joint  37 . 
   The foot pedal  39  includes a base block  40 , a foot board  41  and a pin  42 . The base block  40  is put on the floor  32 , and the foot board  41  is connected to the base block  40  by means of the pin  42 . The pin  42  offers an axis of rotation to the foot board  41 . The base block  40  is stationary on the floor  32 , and the foot board  41  is rotatable around the base block  40 . 
   Three links  43 / 44 / 45  and a hinge  46  form in combination the toggle joint  37 . The links  43 / 44 / 45  are independently rotatable around the hinge  46 . The link  43  is connected to the frame  36  by means of a hinge  47 , and the link  44  is connected to the lower end of the extension rod  8  by means of another hinge  48 . Yet another hinge  49  is connected between the link  45  and the foot board  41 . While the coil spring  38  is keeping the extension rod  8  at the home position, the hinges  48 / 49  are positioned on a virtual line substantially aligned with the center axis of the extension rod  8 , and the hinges  46 / 47 / 48  keep the link  45  substantially vertical with the links  43 / 44  aligned with each other. Although the hinge  47  is closer to the floor  32  than the hinge  46  in this instance, the relative relation between the hinges  46 / 47 / 48  may be different from the relative relation shown in  FIG. 2 , and the links  43 / 44 / 45  are different in length from those shown in the figure. 
   The driver  35  behaves as follows. While a player is depressing the foot board  41 , the toggle joint  37  changes the links  43 / 44 / 45  from the relative relation shown in FIG.  2  through the relative relation shown in  FIG. 3  to the relative relation shown in FIG.  4 . The links  44 / 45  become on the straight. 
   In detail, the player exerts force F 1  on the foot board  41  at the initial position shown in FIG.  2 . The force F 1  gives rise to rotation of the foot pedal  41  in the counter clockwise direction around the pin  42 , and causes the toggle joint  37  to vary the relative relation between the links  43 / 44 / 45 . The link  45  is rotated around the hinge  46  in the direction indicated by arrow AR 1 , and the link  43  is rotated around the hinge  47  in the direction indicated by arrow AR 2 . The link  44  is rotated around the hinge  48  in the counter clockwise direction, and downwardly exerts force F 2  on the extension rod  8 . This results in the downward motion of the extension rod  8 . 
   The player is assumed to continuously depress the foot board  41 . The links  43 / 44 / 45  continue the rotation, and reaches the relative relation shown in FIG.  4 . 
   When the player removes the force F 1  from the fool board  41 , the coil spring  38  upwardly pulls the extension rod  8 , and the extension rod  8  returns to the home position. The links  43 / 44 / 45  are rotated in the opposite directions, and are recovered to the relative relation shown in FIG.  2 . 
   The links  43 / 44 / 45  are assumed to pass the relative relation shown in  FIG. 5  during the rotation of the foot board  41  around the pin  42 . Line L 1  is an extension line of the center axis of the link  44 , and line L 2  passes through the hinges  47 / 48 . Line L 3  is vertical to line L 2 , and passes through the hinge  46 . A vertical line is drawn from the hinge  47  to the line L 1 , and A stands for the length between the hinge  47  and the intersecting point. Another vertical line is drawn from the hinge  46  to the line L 2 , and B stands for the length between the intersecting point and the hinge  47 . The center axis of the link  45  intersects an extension line of the vertical line from the hinge  46  at angle β. 
   The player is assumed to exert the force F 1  on the foot board  41 . The foot board  41  pulls the link  45 , only, and force F 3  is exerted on the link  45  in the direction of the center axis thereof. The link  45  further pulls the links  43  and  44 , and force F 4  is exerted on the link  44  in the direction of the center axis thereof. Finally, the link  44  pulls the extension rod  8  with the vertical component force of F 4 . Thus, the relation between the force F 3  and the force F 4  represents the force F 1  exerted on the foot board  41  and the force F 2  exerted on the extension rod  8 . The relation between the force F 3  and the force F 4  is expressed as
 
 F   3 = K×F   4   Equation 1
 
  K=A /( B ×cos β)  Equation 2
 
When the extension rod  8  is at the home position, the links  43 / 44  are on the straight, and the link  45  is vertical to the links  43 / 44 . Thus, the angles is zero, and the length A is zero at the home position. The angles β and the length A are increased together with the rotation of the foot board  41 . From equations 1 and 2, the force F 4  is equal to the product of F 3 ×(1/K). This means that the toggle joint  37  magnifies the force F 3  at ratio (B cos β/A). The ratio (B cos β/A) is much greater than 1 immediately after the player starts the footing, and the force F 2  exceeds the initial force. As a result, the displacement Δx of the extension rod is increased together with the force F 1  as indicated by real line in FIG.  6 . When the toggle joint  37  reaches the relation shown in  FIG. 4 , the displacement Δx is linearly increased together with the force F 1 . Even if the initial force is large, the toggle joint  37  promptly responds to the player&#39;s footing, because the ratio (B cos β/A) is large enough to drive the extension rod  8  with relatively small force. The large initial force causes the extension rod  8  and, accordingly, the top cymbal  30  to return to the home position, and the player produces fast beat through the high hat cymbals  30 / 31  on the high hat stand according to the present invention.
 
   Broken line stands for the relation between the displacement of the extension rod  8  and the force exerted on the fool board  13   b  of the prior art high hat stand. Although the linkage  11  magnifies the force exerted on the foot board  13   b , the magnification ratio is constant and not large. For this reason, the extension rod  8  is not moved until the force exceeds the value f 1  of the initial force. Comparing the real line with broken line, it is understandable that the driver  35  promptly responds the player&#39;s footing. 
   Although a particular embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   For example, even if the links  43 / 44  are not on the straight, the toggle joint achieves the prompt response in so far as the magnification ratio causes the force F 2  to immediately exceed the initial force of the coil spring  33 . 
   The toggle joint enhances the response of the driver in so far as the magnification ratio in the initial stage is larger than the magnification ratio of the linkage  11 . When the toggle joint achieves the magnification ratio larger than that of the prior art linkage  11  over the rotation of the foot board  11  in the angular range, the player feels the response improved.